eCall-ing Europe

The European Parliament has voted that all new cars from 2009 should be fitted with a system which automatically calls the emergency services with details of road traffic accidents.

Around 40,000 people are killed on European roads every year, with more than 3.3 million sustaining injuries. This takes an economic as well as emotional toll, estimated to be as high as €180 billion.

The eCall initiative aims for all new cars to be fitted with eCall, which will immediately alert the emergency services of an accident. It will provide a precise location using global positioning (GPS), significantly reducing response times. The system, however, relies upon the adoption of 112 as the EU-wide emergency number, which would ensure full interoperability in all Member States.

While commercial interest in eCall has been very high, some Member States have so far been slow to put their weight behind it. The Parliament's support will give eCall a significant boost. The system is expected to cut road traffic injuries by around 15 per cent, and fatalities by up to 10 per cent, once in place. While some luxury models already offer systems similar to eCall, this vote will spread improved driver safety to all drivers.