CLEPA welcomes the two EC proposals, published yesterday, on automated emergency call for road accidents mandatory in cars from 2015, assuming the prompt availability of European satellite navigation services and related automotive components. The "eCall" system automatically dials 112 - Europe's single emergency number - in the event of a serious accident. It communicates the vehicle's location to emergency services, even if the driver is unconscious or unable to make a phone call. It is estimated that it could save up to 2500 lives a year.

“The development of harmonized provisions for an interoperable EU-wide eCall is a priority action. It is difficult to accept road deaths and injuries when effective safety technologies are available at affordable prices” said, Jean-Marc Gales CLEPA CEO.

This draft legislation will ensure that from October 2015, all new models of passenger cars and light duty vehicles would be fitted with 112 eCall and the necessary infrastructure would be created for the proper receipt and handling of eCalls in emergency call response centres - ensuring the compatibility, interoperability and continuity of the EU-wide eCall service.

Last year, 28 000 persons were killed and 1.5 million were injured on EU roads. Moreover, road fatalities have become the main cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29 years. “These figures must be and can be reduced. It is essential that the EU Member States agree on the specifications as soon as possible and provide the necessary infrastructures to allow field testing of the EU harmonized system before the rollout date of the service”, stressed Mr Jean-Marc Gales.

CLEPA supports the integrated approach with actions on infrastructure, vehicle and driver behaviour as the way forward to improve road safety.

The automotive suppliers invest €18 billion per year in RDI and produce by far most of the equipment that save live.

That is why CLEPA believes that the EC proposal must better define the principles of an open platform for third party services providers and free competition in the text.

The automotive suppliers have developed since 10 years eCall systems with associated services now satisfactorily operating on vehicles (TPS). When a TPS system cannot be used, the vehicle driver must be able to use the Pan EU eCall system. In practice, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) should be able to communicate with the Pan EU eCall service and the TPS providers alike.

In addition, the in-vehicle eCall architecture should be open for implementation of different services, allowing consumers’ freedom of choice and open and non-discriminatory access by independent operators willing to propose additional services and applications. This can be done using the mandatory eCall functionalities provided that security and reliability are ensured.

“Europe has an established leadership in safety innovations and technologies. It is in our common interest to keep this leadership creating at the same time value and jobs”, concluded Mr Jean-Marc Gales, CLEPA CEO.

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Note to Editors
CLEPA is the European Association of Automotive Suppliers.
105 of the world's most prominent suppliers for car parts, systems and modules and 25 National trade associations and European sector associations are members of CLEPA, representing more than 3 thousand companies, employing more than 5 million people and covering all products and services within the automotive supply chain. Based in Brussels, CLEPA is recognized as the natural discussion partner by the European Institutions, United Nations and fellow associations (ACEA, JAMA, MEMA, etc).
For more information, please contact: Mrs. Amalia Di Stefano |CLEPA Deputy CEO |a.distefano@clepa.be | Tel.: +32 2 743 91 35 and consult www.clepa.eu