In reply to UKC/UKH Articles:
I have had to call the police twice recently due to road traffic incidents, both times I have been appalled by how complicated it has been to give my position.
1st instance
Me: "I'm to the west of village x, can I give you a grid reference?"
Operator: "yes, but lets get your location first, as a grid reference will take a while."
Me: "Ok, if you drive west out of village x, then take the first left, i'm half way down the hill".
Operator: "Hand on, so did you go left or right out of the village?"
I eventually figured out that he didn't know his West from his East and we figured it out by using left and right, but it took about 5 minutes!
2nd instance
Me: I'm on the Axxx west of village x.
Operator: OK, thanks, i'm just trying to locate your position, what can you see?"
Me: I can see a bloody car accident, now can you look at your map and figure out where I am!
I have left both conversations frustrated and bewildered about how something so simple can be made so complicated. I imagine that the inept phone operator then has to describe the location to the police, which probably takes just as long.
What3words will solve all this, but nobody seems to be using it yet!