UK to oppose new life-saving system in cars

The Government is opposing European Union efforts to fit potentially life-saving technology to new cars sold in the UK. 

By 2018, it’s expected eCall – which sends airbag data and location details to emergency services after a crash – will be mandatory in all new cars sold in Europe in a bid to save up to 2,500 lives a year.

• Government plugs in and adds electric cars to its fleet

UK policymakers don’t support making eCall mandatory, though, as they think smart motorways already provide rapid emergency response to accidents. 

But a report by the parliamentary Transport Select Committee said: “This argument may not hold in remote rural locations and we note that a sizeable proportion of UK motorists drive in other EU member states.”

• Car companies say: 'don't demonise diesel'

In fact, 70 per cent of fatal accidents in the UK happen on rural roads. Implementing eCall in the UK would cost the Government around £370million, due to the need to train emergency services and educate drivers on the tech through advertising campaigns. 

Meanwhile, the cost of the actual tech – around £100 – would be swallowed by consumers when buying a new car.

Some manufacturers, including Citroen and Ford, already have a version of eCall fitted as standard that works both in the UK and abroad.

Do you think the eCall system should be mandatory in the UK? Let us know in the comments below...