Some local police say crash detection feature on newer smartphones leading to false calls

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Nelson County sheriff said a smartphone feature is becoming a nightmare for some first responders.

Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa said his department has received dozens of false calls triggered by crash detection features on smartphones.

Some newer phones will send an automated call to dispatchers if a sensor detects a serious crash.

But Pineiroa said his department responded to dozens of these calls this year, and all of them turned out to be false.

The sheriff said it's taxing resources, so he's changing how his deputies respond.

"We will respond. We're just not going to run an emergency like we would if you're calling us and saying 'Hey, there's been an accident, a semi hit a car, get here fast,'" Pineiroa said. "We'll still respond, but we're not going to be running a code."

In Louisville, MetroSafe said it's seen the same problem, with most false calls coming from amusement parks with rollercoasters, with their rapid stops and drops. They also said it can be triggered when smart watches and/or phones are being shipped and moved around.

MetroSafe said if you have the feature enabled on your phone or watch, consider disabling it when visiting an amusement park, or cancel the call when it is initiated to avoid accidental reports.

A spokesperson for the agency said they've also received calls through the feature that were real, and helped with the response to crashes on local expressways.

If this happens to you, you'll see an alert on your phone. You'll have 20 seconds to cancel the call. You can also turn the feature off in the "settings" section of your phone.

To learn about the feature, including how to enable it or disable it, on an Apple phone, click here. For a Google phone, click here, and for Android click here.

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