Reno Gazette-Journal.

Davenport said he tries to clip his phone to a hook while driving to prevent misdials. He suggested cellphone service providers design a phone that would prevent such accidents.

The problem with accidental cellphone calls has affected dispatch centers nationwide, said Sonya Carius, communication manager for the National Emergency Number Association.

The deluge of accidental calls is compounded by a shortage of dispatchers. The Reno center, which handles calls for 15 agencies, has nine empty positions out of 53.

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2001