Starting in March 2018, all new cars sold in the European Union will have be equipped with technology that contacts emergency services in the event of an accident.
The European Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted 26-3 this week in favor of draft EU rules to mandate eCall technology, which would call the EU 112 emergency number automatically if a vehicle crashed.
"I warmly welcome the EU member states' agreement on type-approval requirements for fitting eCall devices in new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles," said rapporteur Olga Sehnalova, according to European Parliament News. "Now it is up to the European Parliament as a whole to vote to ensure that the 112-based eCall service is deployed across Europe, so that EU citizens get its safety benefits."
"The outcome of today's committee vote paves the way for it to do so", Sehnalova added.
The vote also confirmed a deal reached by the EU's 28-member states earlier this month setting specific obligations for automakers.
The rules will most likely become law depending on a vote by the full European Parliament next month, according to Reuters.
"Too many people die in accidents on Europe's roads," said Sehnalova. "The eCall system will help to improve road safety by enabling emergency services to locate and reach accident victims much faster. As a public service, eCall will be free of charge for all citizens, whatever car they drive and whatever its purchase price."
Different rules went into effect in June 2014, forcing EU members to make sure they have the infrastructure necessary to handle eCalls starting in October 2017.
Some car companies have similar systems in place already, like General Motor's OnStar service in North America. The service is designed to summon emergency representatives after an incident occurs.
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