Strasbourg, 28/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 28 April, the European Parliament adopted the decision on eCall. It should be pointed out that this system seeks to introduce the eCall into vehicles and which will automatically call the emergency hotline in the event of an accident. It will be introduced throughout the EU and will also pinpoint the exact position of the vehicle involved in an accident.
MEPs were particularly concerned by the question of data protection but the system finally approved will be “dormant”, which means that it will not actively transmit the position of the vehicle in question.
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) welcomed the vote taken on the system, which it has argued for since 2004. The European Emergency Number Association also welcomed the vote but also made two negative remarks: it criticises the lack of telephone operators available within the infrastructure and who are able to say whether a call is an eCall or ordinary call and that “its dormant status cannot always be taken for granted”.
The Council adopted its position last March (see EUROPE 11265). All new cars will therefore need to be fitted with this eCall system as from March 2018. (Jean Comte)