In-car emergency call systems by 2015

09/09/11

By Leo Stevens

Automatic emergency call systems could be installed in all new cars by 2015 if European Commission proposed legislation is approved, it has emerged.

After an unsuccessful appeal for voluntary adoption of the eCall system, the Commission has said that the potential life-saving benefits of this technology are too significant to abandon altogether.

The eCall system, which is estimated to cost no more than £90 to fit per car, works by automatically triggering a call to the emergency services in the event of a serious crash, to ensure that drivers or passengers are attended by medics as quickly as possible, even if they cannot call for help themselves due to injury.

The Commission days that the reaction from the motoring industry has been "very slow" since the technology was unveiled.

A statement said: "The Commission has decided to take legislative action to introduce eCall because voluntary deployment has been insufficient.

"The system is designed to dial 112 in the event of a crash and transmit accident details including the time of the incident, the position of the crash and the direction of travel, which could be crucial for accidents on motorways or in tunnels."