European Commission wants eCall on European roads by 2014

Creation date: 25 August 2009

In its third communication, “Time for Deployment”, the European Commission urges EU countries to accelerate the voluntary implementation process of the new in-vehicle emergency call system (eCall).

eCall is an emergency call either generated manually by vehicle occupants or automatically via activation of in-vehicle sensors when an accident occurs. When activated, the in-vehicle eCall system establishes a 112-voice connection directly with the relevant PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point). This can drastically cut emergency response times, reduce severity of injures and save lives and reduce the social burden of road accidents. The eCall system is a pan-European service that will operate in all European countries.

The European Commission proposes a policy document with measures for accelerating the introduction of an in-vehicle eCall system in all new vehicles across Europe by 2014. The measures proposed are supported by the car industry; therefore Member States also need to ensure that their emergency services are equipped to deal with the eCalls.

However, the European Commission could take regulatory measures in 2010 towards Members States and industry if, by the end of 2009, there is no progress made regarding the availability of affordable eCall devices in all new vehicles and that the PSAPs infrastructure is updated to handle the eCalls.

Today, 15 EU countries (Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden) and three other European countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), who have signed the eCall Memorandum of Understanding have expressed their support to this initiative.

Another six countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Luxembourg, Romania and Poland) support eCall and are willing to sign the agreement in short time.

Background information about eCall:
The European Commission Communication “Time for Deployment” .

The European Commission Press Release.

Today's Commission strategy for an EU-wide eCall system and the common agreement signed by 15 Member States.

For more information on eCall, including a video clip, please click here.