Mexican Media Brands
Europe Proposes Automatic Crash Reporting for Light Vehicles
The European Commission proposes that by October 2015 all light-duty vehicles sold in the European Union must be equipped with a system that automatically reports their whereabouts to emergency services in the event of a serious crash.
#labor
Share
The European Commission proposes that by October 2015 all light-duty vehicles sold in the European Union must be equipped with a system that automatically reports their whereabouts to emergency services in the event of a serious crash.
Related legislation to the long-discussed initiative would require EU members to establish the necessary infrastructure to receive such emergency calls to 112, Europe's single emergency number.
The "eCall" system uses in-vehicle sensors to detect a major crash. It then dials 112 and reports the time, vehicle's position and direction of travel. Drivers also can activate the system manually if they witness a serious accident.
The EC estimates that the eCall system, which has been under discussion since 2007, could shorten emergency response time by 40% in cities and 50% in rural areas and help save about 2,500 lives per year. The commission notes that the system also could be enhanced to offer additional services, such as stolen vehicle tracking.
The proposals await approval by the European Council and European Parliament.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Marchionne Cancels Trip to Paris Auto Show
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has cancelled a planned appearance at the Paris auto show on Thursday.
-
GM, PSA Execs Rush to Build Support for Opel Sale
Top executives from General Motors Co. and PSA Group are scrambling to build support among alarmed European government and labor leaders for a plan to integrate GM’s Opel unit with PSA.
-
UAW Launches Strike Against GM
As expected, some 48,000 of the United Auto Workers Union members began a strike at midnight Sunday against General Motors Co. facilities in the U.S.