Why can't the emergency phone number be 111?

Question

"AAAAAAAAA, ugh, 9, ugh, 91?NOOOOO ugh ugh RUUUUN!!!"

Answer 1

If you're in USA that's because a leading "1" is used to signify a long distance call. That's why it cannot be "111" since there's no use in calling an emergency service outside the town where you are.

Answer 2

I think that it may be for the same reason we have 999 in the U.K.
Before we had push button phones, you had to dial the number. Don't know how old you are or whether you remember this, but the number 1 was the first number on the dial and therefore easiest to find. I think that the number chosen for emergencies had to be easy to remember and, just as important, easy to dial without a mistake. 111 would obviously have been easiest, but its also easy for a little kid playing with the phone to dial it by accident, (or for anyone else who's just fidgeting with the phone) so 911 was chosen as being easy to remember and dial, perhaps in the dark,without a mistake.

Answer 3

Because starting a number with 1 was used for long distance well before anyone came up with the idea of a universal emergency number.

Answer 4

Because 111 is easier to dial on a phone accidentlly. If a little kid gets a hold of a phone there is a better chance he might dial it.

Answer 5

well, you have issues, I know the pain, because that 9 is so far away and so hard to remeber, I mean my 4 and 5 year old know how to dial it so it must be terribly difficult.

Answer 6

Too many people would call by accident/ kids playing with the phone.

Answer 7

Who cares? Why would you want it to be anyway?!!!

Answer 8

i dont know why??????????????