The eCall system, which transmits the vehicle position 112 to a major accident without the need to be activated manually, it may be mandatory for vehicles sold in the EU from 2015.
The European Commission proposes that the eCall mandatory in new cars marketed in the European Union from 2015. The automatic eCall is an emergency call 112 in case of accident. It is the only measure in recent EU in terms of road safety, earlier this year, the European Union planned to reduce the urban speed limit to 30 km / h.
This device transmits to the rescue services vehicle position before a serious accident, without needing to be manually activated, reducing the response time of 112 services, the phone for immediate assistance in Europe.
The EU executive plans that within two years all the cars and vans that are offered for sale in the Twenty are equipped with the eCall system, which would cost less than 100 euros per car, according to their estimates. European sources explained that larger vehicles like trucks may not benefit from the service, since they lack airbag, whose activation triggers the signal.
"Every minute counts when it comes to rescue victims," said European Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas, on the presentation press conference, where he also was convinced that the eCall service "has great potential to save lives ".
The proposal must now receive approval from the European Parliament and the Council to enter into force, and force also approved creating or adapting existing infrastructure to ensure proper management of calls in the EU, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
The eCall system is activated as soon as it senses a crash severity, which establishes a line of voice over the public mobile telephone networks with the emergency number 112, even if the driver is unconscious or unable to perform his own the call.
In addition, the eCall sends rescue service for the details of the accident, such as the time of the accident, the precise location or direction of travel, a fact of special relevance in crashes on motorways or tunnels.
The signal eCall can also be activated manually, allowing, for example, a witness can throw the alert, or that the same driver activate the unit for any signs of sudden physical discomfort that does not involve a collision.
The Commission estimates that, thanks to eCall, may be reduced by 40% the response time in urban areas and 50% in the field, which should reduce the death toll at 2,500 throughout the Union and minimize the severity of the wounded, said the EC.
The proposal presented today by the Commission would require all Member States to deploy the necessary infrastructure before October 1, 2015, and impose certain technical requirements for the installation of the devices. Currently, only 0.7% of EU vehicles are equipped with eCall.