Automatic Dial of 9-1-1

Back in ye old days, you’d mash some buttons on the phone keypad and when the network figured out that the combination of numbers was a full set, the phone on the other end would begin to ring. This was great, except when you weren’t done dialing yet. This happened a lot when you were dialing long distance or to your Dad in prison overseas. If there was an emergency, you’d hit 9-1-1 and the call would go through as soon as you hit the last 1.

Then came the cordless phone and cell phones. With these technologies, you dial a number and then press “SEND” or the greenest button on your phone. Now if you want to dial 9-1-1, you have to hit the numbers and then push “SEND.” This can be problematic when you have a young child or a color-blind, illiterate babysitter.

I propose that all phones should immediately dial 9-1-1 when those buttons are first pressed. I cannot think of any situation when 9-1-1 would be the first numbers hit in any phone number or even accidentally in a text message.

Can anyone think of a reason why this should not be? Quick, call your congressperson and tell them to get moving on the HolyJuan Bill.