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Proposals for new legislation: eCall to be mandatory from 2015

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13 June 2013, Brussels - To help mitigate the consequences of serious road accidents across the EU, today the European Commission adopted two proposals to ensure that, by October 2015, cars will automatically call emergency services in case of a serious crash. This draft legislation will ensure that from October 2015, all new models of passenger cars and light duty vehicles would be fitted with 112 eCall and the necessary infrastructure would be created for the proper receipt and handling of eCalls in emergency call response centres - ensuring the compatibility, interoperability and continuity of the EU-wide eCall service.

European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for Transport, said: "Today's proposals are a milestone for safer roads in the EU. Last year, 28 000 persons were killed and 1.5 million were injured on EU roads. When an accident happens, every minute counts to rescue injured victims. The eCall technology has great potential to save lives in shortening dramatically the time of intervention of emergency services and this across the EU."

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "The deployment of an interoperable EU-wide eCall system is an important progress in road safety. EU citizens can be reassured by this time and life-saving system which will help prevent loss of lives and injuries on our roads. It is also an important step forward to make our vehicles more intelligent and enhance our competitiveness."

European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes, responsible for the Digital Agenda, said: "EU-wide eCall is a big step forward for road safety. When you need emergency support it's much better to be connected than to be alone, that's the value of ICT."

Next steps
Once proposals are approved by the Council and Parliament, the Commission is aiming to have a fully functional eCall service in place throughout the EU (as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) by 2015.

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