News release
Crash detection technology alert first responders in PEI.
June 11, 2025
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RCMP Headquarters, PE, Prince Edward Island
From: Prince Edward Island RCMP
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Over the past year, the #PEIRCMP has responded to about 90 vehicle crash alert calls triggered by mobile phones, smart devices or onboard vehicle crash detection helping first responders get to crashes faster.
Crash detection features are designed to automatically contact emergency services when your phone smart devices or built in car sensors detects you’ve been in a serious collision. This tool can save lives, especially in situations where a person can’t call for help themselves. Crash alerts have even helped officers locate impaired drivers and other crimes with five people charged last year in incidents involving crash detection.
On the other hand, false alerts are often triggered by sudden drops, hard braking, or dropping your phone while biking, skiing or snowmobiling. Most reported crashes last year were not real collisions.
Here’s how to avoid accidental alerts:
- If you have triggered a crash alert, cancel the alert immediately to prevent an emergency response.
- Secure your phone while driving, skiing or biking, loose phones can drop and activate this feature.
- Keep your device’s software updated to improve accuracy of this system.
If a crash alert is triggered:
- 911 will be called, please don’t hang up, inform 911 of the situations even if it is a false alert. If dispatchers don’t have information they have to send a robust response.
Crash detection is helpful, but only when it is used as intended.
#roadsafety #Don’tDriveImpaired