For the past four years, every single new car or van on the roads in Britain has had to be fitted with a button that could save lives - but most people have no idea it exists.
New legislation that came into force at the start of April four years ago required manufacturers to fit an emergency call system known as eCall, which includes an SOS button fitted in the vehicle.
The system is activated when the vehicle is involved in a collision that is serious enough to activate the airbags. It automatically sends the vehicle's location to a 999 operator, enables drivers to speak with emergency operators and sends precise coordinates which means the emergency services know the exact location of the vehicle.
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The system can be activated manually if the driver or occupants need to summon help quickly but the vehicle hasn't been involved in a collision as such. And motoring organisations said it's easy for drivers to miss the button, and many people don't even know it's there or what it does.
Having the button could be a valuable alternative to using a mobile phone, don't have a phone, signal or battery, or can't get out of the vehicle. The MEN reports that National Highways is now joining forces with vehicle manufacturers and motoring groups in an attempt to raise awareness of the potentially lifesaving technology.
Mel Clarke, Customer Services Director at National Highways, said: “Safety is our priority at National Highways. The emergency call (eCall) system and its SOS button could save lives and revolutionise road incident response on the roads, yet our research shows that most people do not know about it. I urge drivers to check if they have this safety feature installed, particularly if your vehicle was manufactured since April 2018, and to follow our advice about how and when to use it.”
All new types of passenger cars and vans built since April 2018 have eCall fitted as standard. The system is automatically triggered in an accident while the SOS button is typically found near the top of the windscreen or on the steering wheel.
However, in a survey from March 2021, National Highways found that many drivers were unaware that the emergency call system and its eCall SOS button existed or where to find it. Vehicle occupants were also using the facility for non-emergency calls, which is not its intended purpose. National Highways is working with others in the industry to promote this safety feature , which has already seen an increase in the correct use of the eCall system of connected emergency services calls from 22% in 2020 to 59% in 2022.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive at Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said: “SMMT is pleased to be working with National Highways to build greater awareness and understanding of the emergency call (eCall) system its SOS button functions in vehicles. This initiative is vitally important to inform and remind consumers of their cars’ additional safety measures including the ability to call for assistance in times of trouble”.
The system is designed to be used if you need to summon help because you: have stopped in a live traffic lane (or see someone else stopped in a live lane); are not able to exit your car safely; can see someone else needing emergency help, such as a broken down vehicle blocking a lane; are experiencing a medical emergency or are in a dangerous/vulnerable location.
Using the SOS button means that the 999 operators automatically receive your vehicle details including your location and direction of travel. Through your vehicle’s speaker system, they will then ask for further information to establish the nature of the emergency.
You can also use this system to report a hazard on the road or a vehicle travelling in the wrong direction. If you are involved in an incident that triggers your air-bags or other safety sensors:
Your vehicle sensors will automatically activate the on-board emergency call (eCall) system and send your vehicle details including your location and direction of travel when contacting a 999 operator.
The 999 operators will use your vehicle’s built-in safety feature to speak to you, and ask for further information to respond quickly and appropriately.
Andy Rooke of the UK 999 Liaison Committee, and as Vice-President of British Association of Public Safety Communications Officials said: “British APCO are pleased to be able to support this initiative from National Highways, in providing clear guidance on the correct use of the emergency call (eCall) system. When vehicle occupants use this facility for general enquiries, 999 operators are unable to send life-saving help to those that really need it. When used properly in the event of an emergency incident, eCall provides vital information to the police, fire or ambulance services, reducing their response time and ensuring they are better prepared on arrival.
By the end of 2025, over 12.6 million cars and vans are expected to feature the emergency call (eCall) system. For more details of the eCall system and when to use this safety feature in newer types of cars and vans, click here.
Steve Gooding, Director of RAC Foundation said: “There are so many clever high-tech elements being built into modern motor cars that it’s all-too-easy for motorists to miss the ones – like eCall – that could be the most valuable in the event of a road incident. Knowing how to work the infotainment system could take the strain out of a long drive, but knowing how and when to use eCall could save lives.”
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