Manufacturer's Crisis Response Communication System
In the realm of automotive safety, the German automobile association, ADAC, has emphasized the importance of driver's choice and standardization in the use of emergency call services. The debate centres around the use of manufacturer-specific emergency call systems versus the Europe-wide 112-eCall service.
Drivers, according to ADAC, have the right to choose between the two options. However, some German car manufacturers prefer manufacturer-specific emergency call systems. This preference, ADAC contends, could potentially lead to issues, such as the closure of foreign call centres as early as 8:00 PM, which might not be acceptable in case of an accident.
ADAC has critically viewed manufacturer-specific eCall systems. Their concerns revolve around technical reliability, lack of standardized oversight, and inconsistent functionality. For instance, failures such as a defective GPS antenna can disable both navigation and eCall services, impairing emergency calls and leading to costly repairs.
Without standardized eCall systems, manufacturers might not promptly issue recalls or updates when issues appear, resulting in unresolved safety threats. Manufacturer-specific systems may vary widely in performance and integration, potentially causing delays or failures in automatic emergency alerts.
ADAC advocates for uniform, standardized eCall systems to enhance reliability, ease of maintenance, and effective emergency response coordination across all vehicles. The uniform telephone number 112 is used to connect to the nearest emergency service via eCall. In case of an accident, eCall transmits information about the accident location, circumstances, and vehicle, including the number of occupants.
Oral transmission of positional data of the accident location can lead to digit mix-ups, causing the vehicle to not be found. To avoid such mishaps, it is crucial that the 112-eCall emergency number is used. Car owners can demand from manufacturers that the Europe-wide emergency number 112 is used with their eCall emergency call system.
The eCall emergency call system is mandatory in newly approved vehicle models as of April 2018. The system uses mobile networks and satellite positioning to establish a connection to the nearest emergency service via the uniform telephone number 112. Conversion to use the 112-eCall emergency number may have to take place in the workshop.
However, it's worth noting that delays of up to 58 seconds can occur in the time-critical rescue chain with manufacturer-specific eCall systems. This is due to the initial forwarding of the call to a call centre before informing the responsible emergency service. Poor German language skills of call centre staff could have fatal consequences in case of an accident.
In conclusion, ADAC urges car owners to demand the use of the standardized 112-eCall emergency number to ensure reliable, efficient, and timely emergency response in case of an accident.
Technology is fundamental in enhancing the reliability and efficiency of emergency response, as demonstrated by the widespread use of eCall systems in vehicles. ADAC advocates for standardization of eCall systems, advocating for the use of the uniform 112-eCall emergency number to mitigate potential issues such as delays, inconsistent performance, and diminished safety caused by manufacturer-specific technology.
