Urgent call for faster progress on mandatory in-vehicle emergency response system among nations

The European automobile industry is actively supporting the European Commission's call to accelerate the implementation of eCall, an innovative system that automatically alerts emergency services to vehicle accidents. This initiative, which is expected to improve road safety significantly, has gained widespread support from various stakeholders, including Member States, emergency service providers, mobile network providers, and automakers.

The ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) Action Plan and the final adoption of the ITS Directive, where eCall standardization is a key element, have been warmly received by the industry. The ITS Directive was officially adopted on 6 August 2010.

Automakers are emphasizing the active role of all parties involved in the eCall initiative. They believe that the success of eCall depends on the cooperation and collaboration of Member States, emergency service providers, and other stakeholders like mobile network providers.

In line with this, the industry is actively working on the implementation of the Third Party eCall Support Service, alongside the efforts for public eCall. This private emergency service is expected to complement the public eCall system, providing an alternative for those who prefer a non-governmental service.

As of now, 20 Member States have committed to introduce a public eCall. However, only a few will participate in the large three-year Field Operational Test starting in November 2010. Before the eCall standardization was completed at the end of 2010, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo were among the automotive manufacturers that had already integrated eCall functionality in their vehicles.

The Commission considers the Third Party eCall initiative as an equivalent to the public efforts made for eCall. Both public eCall and Third Party eCall should continue equally if regulation is implemented. It's worth noting that more than a million vehicles have already been equipped with Third Party eCall systems.

However, there are open legal issues such as data protection, privacy, and liability that need to be resolved before the implementation of eCall. These issues are crucial in ensuring the protection of individuals' rights and the responsible use of the system. Only after these issues are addressed can eCall functionality be effectively offered for all new type-approved vehicles.

The development of new vehicles takes several years to accomplish, necessitating a lead-time of at least three years after all eCall standards are finalized. The industry is continuing to introduce the "Third Party eCall Support Service" during this period.

The eCall initiative demonstrates the importance of stakeholders working together towards a common goal. By collaborating effectively, the industry, governments, and service providers can contribute to a safer and more secure driving experience for all Europeans. Despite some reservations about the potential costs and delays associated with regulation, the industry remains committed to the eCall project, recognizing its potential to save lives and reduce the impact of road accidents.