Trial run for eCall emergency system Liow: Carmakers encouraged to add feature

PUTRAJAYA: The “eCall” emergency response system will now go on trial in Malaysia, ahead of making it a mandatory feature for vehicles in the country in the future.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said carmakers in the country are encouraged to equip their vehicles with the eCall feature, as the Government gauges its effectiveness.

He added that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) was in discussions with many car manufacturers on the implementation of the system.

He was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) between Miros and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) on the implementation of the eCall system.

The eCall is automatically triggered when a vehicle equipped with the feature is involved in a serious accident.

It will send emergency alerts to MERS 999, which will then route the call to relevant emergency agencies.

“With this automatic alert system, it will ensure the ambulance can reach the accident site as soon as possible.

Good move: Liow (second left) observing MoC exchange between Lee (left) and Dr Sulaiman on the eCall system in Putrajaya. Looking on is Multimedia and Communication Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Mohamad Nor (right). — Bernama

“The first 10 to 15 minutes is dubbed the ‘golden time’, and if assistance can reach the victim in time, we can save more lives,” said Liow, adding that the Government wanted to reduce road accident deaths by 50% in 2020.

Data generated from the eCall system will also be used by Miros to conduct research and analysis, so it could draw on improvements that could reduce future accidents.

Liow said the safety feature will not come as an added cost to the car owner.

In addition, he said the eCall system could also act as an anti-theft device, as it could inform the vehicle owners via their phone numbers if their cars were hijacked.

“The response from car manufacturers has been very good.

“After all, if carmakers equip their cars with this feature, it will enhance the car’s safety aspects and becomes an added value, which in turn will help their sales.

“We will make this feature mandatory later. We do not have a time frame now. We will start as a pilot project, or a trial, first. It will be on a voluntary basis.

“We need to gauge the system’s effectiveness. It needs to work smoothly with the ambulance service and MERS 999 before we can make this mandatory,” Liow added.

The agreement yesterday was signed by Miros chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and TM chairman Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob.