Driver flees scene after Crash Detection alerts police

Crash Detection on Apple Watch can alert authorities if you've been in an accident, but one Arizona man didn't stick around for help to arrive.

Apple Watch Crash Detection has been a somewhat controversial feature due to accidental activations from sports or roller coasters. However, it has proven to be a useful feature when actually activated by a crash.

An Arizona man was in a car accident, according to a report from Fort Worth Star-Telegram, but he was nowhere to be found when police arrived at the scene. The driver's Apple Watch sent a message to authorities after the vehicle rolled over, but the man had departed the scene.

Twenty rescuers and a helicopter began searching for the missing driver. Several hours later, a 30-year-old man was found walking about 5 miles away.

The man had minor injuries and claimed to be searching for help. He was reunited with his family.

When Crash Detection is activated, it alerts the wearer that emergency services will be contacted if Emergency SOS isn't dismissed. The device sends a message and the device's current location, which is how the vehicle was found.

Had the man remained with his vehicle, he'd have been helped much sooner. It isn't revealed why the man couldn't use his iPhone or Apple Watch to get help instead of walking miles up the road.

5 Comments

chasm 3595 comments · 10 Years

About 10 months ago

Probably needed a good healthy walk to get his blood alcohol count down … :smile:

baconstang 1154 comments · 10 Years

Apple should add a 'breathalyzer' to their watches. It would probably save more lives than some of these other features...

wonkothesane 1737 comments · 12 Years

baconstang said:

Apple should add a 'breathalyzer' to their watches. It would probably save more lives than some of these other features...

In the EU starting July 2024 all newly sold vehicles must have a breathalyzer on board (along other safety systems, such as emergency brake assist, or a speed limit detection and corresponding warning in case you exceed that limit) that would not let you drive in case of exceeding the legal limit (In France it is already a legal requirement to carry a tester onboard since quite some years). However, currently, it is not known whether or when the use of this device will become mandatory.)

Looking at it from a statistics point of view, approximately 50% of all car accidents (in Germany for which I looked up the data), are caused by turning, entering streets and similar maneuvers, followed by too little distance and speeding. Alcohol and drug related incidents account for roughly 6%, however with a richer likelihood of severe injuries.

Considering this, the mandatory introduction of safety systems are likely to address the number one reason all over: avoidable errors made by the driver.

ForumPost 78 comments · 6 Years

chasm said:

Probably needed a good healthy walk to get his blood alcohol count down … :smile:

Smart lad. Prioritise!

wonkothesane said:

baconstang said:

Apple should add a 'breathalyzer' to their watches. It would probably save more lives than some of these other features...

In the EU starting July 2024 all newly sold vehicles must have a breathalyzer on board (along other safety systems, such as emergency brake assist, or a speed limit detection and corresponding warning in case you exceed that limit) that would not let you drive in case of exceeding the legal limit (In France it is already a legal requirement to carry a tester onboard since quite some years). However, currently, it is not known whether or when the use of this device will become mandatory.)

Looking at it from a statistics point of view, approximately 50% of all car accidents (in Germany for which I looked up the data), are caused by turning, entering streets and similar maneuvers, followed by too little distance and speeding. Alcohol and drug related incidents account for roughly 6%, however with a richer likelihood of severe injuries.

Considering this, the mandatory introduction of safety systems are likely to address the number one reason all over: avoidable errors made by the driver.

Sometimes I binge watch dashcams.
Seriously excessive speed, following too close, not paying attention (distracted, especially by phones) and not slowing down when passing slow / stopped traffic are all major causes.
You are right, the smaller number of impaired accidents generally are more destructive / deadly. (Blowing stops, head ons etc.)