Brussels, 19/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - MEPs have sent out the message loud and clear: it is high time that the in-vehicle eCall system becomes compulsory given its incontrovertible benefits for road safety. On Tuesday 19 June, the European Parliament (EP) transport and industry committees adopted a resolution calling for all new cars to be fitted with eCall devices by 2015. eCall devices alert the rescue services automatically to road crashes through the public 112 emergency call system and could, according to estimates, save up to 2,500 lives a year. Currently only 0.4% of cars are fitted with the system.
MEPs point out that the necessary technology is available and common EU-wide standards have been agreed. They therefore call on the Commission to table legislation requiring the member states to upgrade their emergency response services infrastructure so that it can handle eCalls by 2015.
The resolution was adopted by 58 votes to 4, with 8 abstentions. It will be put to the plenary session in July. (MD/transl.rt)