Device to cut accident deaths unveiled

Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent

The eCall service was unveiled in Brussels yesterday and should be available throughout the EU by 2009. The smart technology could save accident victims by reducing the time it takes to get a person to hospital.

The driver or passenger will be able to make the call or on impact the device will contact emergency services automatically.

It will give a precise reading of where the vehicle is allowing medical teams and police services to get to the scene quickly.

Announcing the development, Information, Society and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding said: "With this technology, your car could save your life."

Using intelligent vehicle safety systems that include impact warning devices and automatic breaking systems experts expect it could halve the number of fatalities from road accidents.

There are an estimated 1.3 million accidents on EU roads every year, injuring 1.7 million people and killing 50,000.

As well as the cost in human suffering, accidents cost 160 billion a year equal to 2% of GDP.

The action plan for emergency calling hopes to get agreement from all agencies on eCall standards and specifications by the end of this year, carry out full scale field tests next year and introduce eCalling in all new vehicles from 2009.

For eCall technology to work, emergency services in the EU member states will need to equip or upgrade systems by 2007.