ROAD deaths could fall by 2,500 a year across the European Union under plans to equip all new cars with a device that calls the emergency services after a crash, according to a study.

Ambulance response times are predicted to fall by 50 per cent in rural areas and 40 per cent in towns, giving paramedics a better chance of saving lives. The device, known as eCall, tracks the car’s movements by satellite and is linked to sensors positioned around the car. To avoid false alarms, a message is sent to an emergency call centre only if at least two sensors are triggered.

Details about the location, the car, the owner and the severity of the crash are sent via mobile phone link to a call centre. An injured driver or passenger can press a button to contact the centre if the system fails to work automatically. The operator can use eCall to speak to people trapped in the wreckage.

The European Commission, which funded the study, has set a deadline of 2009 for eCall to be fitted to all new cars. Manufacturers have agreed to comply with the deadline but have said that it will add up to £300 to the cost of a new car.

The Commission says that the cost will be nearer £100 because several of the system’s components will already be fitted to most vehicles. BMW already offers a version of the system on all its models at a cost of £2,500 for the installation of navigation and Bluetooth mobile phone systems.

Gary Titley, the Labour MEP investigating eCall on behalf of the European Parliament, said that the main obstacle to achieving the 2009 target was the lack of commitment by some EU states, including Britain. Only Italy, Lithuania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden and Cyprus have signed a memorandum of understanding on eCall.

Several other countries are preparing to sign but Britain has said it is not yet convinced by the economic benefits. The Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned a study on eCall in a move widely seen as delaying tactic.

Mr Titley said: “In a typical British approach we are sitting back and waiting even though a delay would cost lives. Trials in which Britain participated have already proven that eCall will have a major benefit in speeding up response times. Cost should be less of an issue in Britain because the emergency call answering system is already being upgraded to give a single point of contact capable of handling eCall.”

Mr Titley said that the faster response would enable crashes to be cleared more quickly.

A DfT spokesman said: “We are conducting further research to examine whether all the benefits of the eCall business case are transferable to the UK situation. This research will look at accidents in which eCall may have had a benefit to road safety. We expect to have the findings in June. Once we have these we will make a decision in due course.”

The specification for eCall equipment is due to be agreed this summer.