Automatic emergency call system (eCall) from 2015, Europe
In an attempt to mitigate the consequences of serious traffic accidents in the EU, the European Commission today adopted two proposals to ensure that, by October 2015, vehicles automatically call the services of emergency when such accidents occur. The system eCall automatically dials 112 - the number of single European emergency call - in case of serious accident. It indicates to emergency services or is the vehicle accident, even if the driver is unconscious or unable to peekaboo. It is estimated that this system could save up to 2,500 lives per year.
Both texts proposed predict that from October 2015 all new models of private cars and light commercial vehicles will be equipped the eCall system and the necessary infrastructure to receive and treat appropriately calls in centers Call emergency services must have been created to ensure the compatibility, interoperability and continuity of service throughout the EU.
Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport, said: "The proposals presented today are an important step in the improvement of road safety in Europe. Last year, there were 28,000 killed and 1.5 million injured on Europe's roads. When an accident occurs, every minute counts to rescue the wounded. ECall technology is likely to save lives by reducing considerably the delay response of the emergency services, and across the EU. "
Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "The establishment of an interoperable eCall system throughout the EU is a major achievement in matters of road safety. The EU citizens can be reassured by this system, which will save time and save lives, thereby reducing the number of killed on our roads and limiting the severity of injuries. This system also is an important progress towards smarter vehicles and improvement of our competitiveness. "
Neelie Kroes, Vice-president of the European Commission and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, said: "The adoption of eCall system throughout the EU is a giant step for road safety. When you need emergency assistance, better be connected as isolated, it is the entire interest of ICT. "
Benefits of eCall system
The received data thanks to eCall system will allow emergency services to come quickly to help drivers and passengers of vehicles accidentes, which will save lives and rescue the wounded without wasting time. It is estimated that the eCall system could reduce the delays emergency response times by 40% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas and that will save up to 2,500 lives each year.
Besides its profits from the point of view of road safety, the eCall system will also significantly reduce consequence to the congestion caused by the traffic accidents and the number of secondary accidents due to the fact that the scene of an accident are not secure. The industry will also benefit from the implementation of eCall, as many companies involved in the supply of technologies, components and used for different aspects of system services, including embedded systems, the transmission of wireless data and the equipment centers reception of emergency calls. In addition, the system loads necessary for eCall could be used to more value-added services (eg, for tracking stolen vehicles).
How eCall?
eCall automatically triggered as soon as the Embedded sensors detect a serious accident. The system dials the number 112 emergency call, establishes a connection with the telephone calls of appropriate emergency services center and transmits the data concerning the accident to the emergency services: the time of the accident The precise location of the vehicle accident and in which direction he was heading (information that is of particular importance for highways and tunnels). The eCall can also be done manually it is sufficient why a witness of the accident, for example, pressing a button box in the car.
Next steps
Once the proposals have been presented approved by the Council and Parliament, the objective of the Commission is to ensure that eCall fully operational across the EU (as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) for the year 2015.
Source: European Commission - Europa
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