In-car automated emergency calls move a step closer

EU plans for all new cars to be fitted with automated emergency call devices (eCall) moved a step closer today following a vote by the European Parliament's transport committee. The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), representing safety campaigners and experts across the EU, welcomed the latest development. Antonio Avenoso, executive director of ETSC said, "After a serious car crash, every second counts. This system has the potential to save many lives because it will enable the emergency services
December 17, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
3287 EU plans for all new cars to be fitted with automated emergency call devices (eCall) moved a step closer today following a vote by the European Parliament's transport committee.

The 1197 European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), representing safety campaigners and experts across the EU, welcomed the latest development.

Antonio Avenoso, executive director of ETSC said, "After a serious car crash, every second counts. This system has the potential to save many lives because it will enable the emergency services to respond quicker.

"The European Parliament has been a strong supporter of eCall, it's important that Parliament negotiators continue to support the strongest possible implementation of the technology during negotiations with member states on the final deal.

"This technology should not be limited to cars, it also needs to be extended to other vehicles, including lorries, buses and ultimately motorcycles."

The transport committee also urged member states to run awareness campaigns in advance of the system's introduction.

The eCall package of legislation also includes requirements for eCall devices to be approved under the European type approval system - this will be a subject to a vote in the parliament's Internal Market committee on 23 January 2014. Before becoming law, a deal will need to be struck with member state transport ministers and approved by the full parliament.
Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • High-tech, high places: 3M in US and MetService in New Zealand
    August 1, 2017
    The US state of Michigan sets up a high-tech test road while New Zealand’s transport officials buy in some high-tech weather forecasting. The road safety division of 3M will provide the US state of Michigan with lane markings and retroreflective signs for a connected vehicle technologies trial along the I-75 highway. Around 5km of the Interstate 75 work zone in Oakland County will be transformed over the next four months to improve safety for drivers and test advanced vehicle-to-infrastructure technologie
    Read More
  • Symology supplies the foundations for Tarmac’s Street Works business
    April 7, 2017
    UK contractor Tarmac has been in partnership with Symology since 2011, using a shared management service for asset management to meet tougher government street work regulations, writes Matt Waite Tarmac, with more than 6,600 employees, is the UK’s leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business. The company has over 330 UK sites from which it delivers contracting and highways maintenance services as well as products such as aggregates, asphalt, cement, lime and ready-mix concre
    Read More
  • ERF organises successful road safety event
    May 31, 2013
    ERF organises successful event on Roadside Safety in cooperation with Transport Research Board. On 11 April, more than 90 participants from different parts of the world gathered in Brussels to attend the 2nd European Workshop of the TRB’s AFB 20 (2) Subcommittee on Roadside Safety. Coordinated by the European Union Road Federation and held at the CEN premises, the event proved a huge success. According to Konstandinos Diamandouros, ERF Head of Office and coordinator of the event, the feedback received from
    Read More
  • Transport the key to economic growth
    July 12, 2012
    Delegates from around the world discussed the future of global transport at the 2009 International Transport Forum in Leipzig, Germany In the face of the global economic downturn, transport will play a key role in supporting economic growth and in the creation of new confidence in the world's economic future, the delegates of the 2009 International Transport Forum (ITF) agreed. As almost all global threats have strong, central links and impacts, the transport sector will remain at the forefront of most glob
    Read More

Highlighted Content