eCall system in Europe behind schedule for 2009 launch

The European Commission this week issued a wake-up call to its Member States, urging them to step up efforts to strengthen emergency service infrastructure in time for the launch of the eCall system, which will be built into all new European vehicles starting in 2009.
An eCall-equipped vehicle automatically calls emergency services in the event of a crash, dialing the universal European emergency number, 112. The system can also be triggered manually.

Although the automotive industry is well-prepared for the 2009 launch, infrastructure preparation is lagging in some countries.

eCall is part of the EU's broader eSafety initiative to use information and communication technologies to increase road safety and reduce the number of accidents.