The Lot fire department received an unusual alert: an automatic call from a connected car equipped with the "eCall" system. This system, triggered by the deployment of airbags following an accident in Arcambal, near Cahors, enabled emergency services to respond with exceptional speed. Thanks to this automatic system, the firefighters arrived almost at the same time as the vehicle's occupants themselves called for help. This crucial responsiveness enabled them to immediately treat four victims, one of whom was in critical condition.
An increasingly common device
Mandatory since March 31, 2018 on all new vehicles in the European Union, eCall is a connected system that automatically triggers a call to the 112 emergency number in the event of an accident. Emergency services immediately receive the GPS coordinates of the precise location of the accident, saving valuable response time. According to Inter-Mutuelles Assistance statistics, "eCall" alerts are gradually increasing in the Lot region: 30 calls in 2024 compared to only 18 in 2023. This successful intervention is a reminder of how decisive this automatic system can be when it comes to saving lives.
