The Brussels Taleban - by Richard... Friday, August 21, 2009 eureferendum.blogspot.com

The Brussels Taleban - by Richard... Friday, August 21, 2009 eureferendum.blogspot.com

Nearly two years ago, I wrote about the EU's proposed "e-call" system, in-car technology linked to GPS (and in time Galileo) which could automatically alert the emergency services in the event of a crash, when the driver is incapacitated or rendered unconscious.

The US has a similar system, funded as a private-venture enterprise, which is attracting thousands of subscribers. The difference here, though, is that the Socialist Republic of the European Union wants a state-run system, controlled by its gifted bureaucrats in Brussels.

Its ambitions, however, have been stalled by the unwillingness of enough of its vassal states to cough up the dosh, which means that it is having difficulty meeting its proposed roll-out target of 2014.

Undismayed, however, we now learn that the Brussels Taleban are flexing their muscles, and have decided that, unless the member states play ball, they will make the system compulsory.

"If the eCall roll-out does not accelerate, the Commission stands ready to set out clear rules obliging governments, industry and emergency services to respond," says Mullah Viviane Reding. "I want to see the first eCall cars on our roads next year." 

So there if have it – if you do not volunteer, you will be volunteered. And the difference between the EU Commission and the Taleban is?

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EU considers imposing car crash alert system

Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:57am EDT

 

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BRUSSELS, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Car makers could be forced to install technology into new European cars by 2014 that would automatically call emergency services in the event of a crash, the European Union's executive said on Friday.

The eCall system can save the lives of people who are unconscious or confused about their location after an accident, but it has failed to take off due to worries about the costs.

Although the standards and technology are ready and 15 countries have given it their backing, Denmark, France, Ireland, Latvia, Malta and Britain are not ready to commit, the European Commission said in a statement.

"If the eCall roll-out does not accelerate, the Commission stands ready to set out clear rules obliging governments, industry and emergency services to respond," said European telecommunications commissioner Viviane Reding.

"I want to see the first eCall cars on our roads next year," she added in a statement.

The Commission said it presented a strategy for introducing the system in all new vehicles across Europe by 2014, starting from next year.

It estimated the system could save 2,500 lives annually. (Reporting by Pete Harrison; editing by Janet Lawrence)