Euro MEPs back plan for automatic 112 call

The European Parliament's internal market committee has backed EU plans for all new types of car and van to be fitted with automated emergency call devices but opened the door to postponing their introduction beyond the proposed deadline of October 2015. The vote on eCall gives a green light for a pan-European type approval method to ensure the devices meet the necessary technical standards. The decision follows a vote in December in the transport committee to approve legislation for member states to develo
February 12, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The European Parliament's internal market committee has backed EU plans for all new types of car and van to be fitted with automated emergency call devices but opened the door to postponing their introduction beyond the proposed deadline of October 2015. The vote on eCall gives a green light for a pan-European type approval method to ensure the devices meet the necessary technical standards. The decision follows a vote in December in the transport committee to approve legislation for member states to develop the technical infrastructure for handling calls from vehicles that have crashed.  

Antonio Avenoso, executive director of the 3535 European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) said: "The key technologies for eCall are already available and in use, so there is no need to postpone the entry-into-force.  After a serious car crash, the time taken for emergency services to reach you can mean the difference between life and death. This system has the potential to save many lives because it will enable the emergency services to respond quicker.    

"It's now crucial that Parliament negotiators support the strongest possible implementation of the technology during negotiations with member states on the final deal and ensure these life-saving devices are in all new types of car and van from the end of next year."

The internal market committee proposed that the 1690 European Commission should investigate extending the scope of the legislation to other vehicles by 2018.  ETSC has called for all drivers and riders to have access to the technology, including building it into lorries, buses and also motorcycles.

Before becoming law, the proposals must be agreed with member state transport ministers and approved by the full Parliament.
Location Based Systems Urban Traffic Control

Related Content

  • June 14, 2013
    eCall mandatory in cars from 2015
    The European Commission has adopted two proposals to ensure that, from October 2015, all new models of passenger cars and light duty vehicles will have to be fitted with 112 eCall, enabling them to automatically call emergency services in case of a serious crash. eCall is activated automatically as soon as in-vehicle sensors detect a serious crash. Once set off, the system dials the European emergency number 112, establishes a telephone link to the appropriate emergency call centre and sends details of the
    Read More
  • December 4, 2012
    European Commission aids deployment of eCall
    The European Commission has adopted a measure to ensure that by 2015 vehicles can call emergency services in the event of a crash. The Commission wants the life-saving eCall system to be fitted to all new models of cars and light vehicles from 2015. eCall automatically dials Europe's single emergency number 112 in the event of a serious accident and communicates the vehicle's location to the emergency services. According to some estimates, eCall could speed emergency response times by 40per cent in urban ar
    Read More
  • March 3, 2023
    C-ITS in Europe: It’s the governance, stupid!
    Cooperative ITS (C-ITS) is coming – in fact, it’s already here. But who has responsibility for making it work? Richard Lax of Kapsch TrafficCom thinks there are lessons to be learned from the European experience
    Read More
  • March 14, 2012
    Pilot scheme tests automatic emergency call system
    Development of the European eCall system is now at a stage of national systems testing. Ertico’s project manager for the HeERO pilot scheme Andy Rooke has given ITS International the lowdown on progress towards pan-European eCall services. Live testing is now under way in the nine countries participating in the European Commission’s HeERO project – a three year pilot scheme preparing the way for full deployment of Europe’s eCall automatic emergency call system.
    Read More

Highlighted Content