The European Parliament has made it mandatory to fit emergency call devices or eCall system to all new models of cars and light vans by 31 March 2018.

The new system will alert rescue teams automatically by sending the message including the basic data in case of an accident.

The European Commission will also asses the technology post deployment in spring 2018, to determine if eCall devices can be used in other vehicles, such as buses, coaches or trucks.

Vehicles fitted with the eCall will use 112 emergency call technology to notify emergency service providers about serious road accidents automatically.

The technology will help rescue operators to arrive faster, save lives, and reduce the severity of injuries related to crashes.

Initially, the life saving technology will only show basic data including vehicle type, location, time of the accident, number of passengers and fuel used in the vehicle.

According to the European Parliament, road accidents claimed 25,700 lives in the region last year, and with the help of the new technology, the death toll could be reduced by 10%.

The MEPs also strengthened the draft law’s data protection clause to prevent tracking of eCall-equipped vehicle prior to accident, and emphasised that the data gathered will not be transferred to third parties without explicit consent of the person concerned.

Vehicle manufacturers have also been given the responsibility to ensure that the eCall technology is designed to ensure full and permanent delete of the data gathered, when required.

European Parliament said: "Deploying the 112-based Call in-vehicle emergency system across the EU will help to improve road safety in all 28 member states.

"The European Parliament has repeatedly stressed that reducing deaths and the severity of injuries on the roads is its priority.

"eCall as a public service, free of charge for all citizens, irrespective of the type of vehicle or its purchase price, will contribute to this common goal", said rapporteur Olga Sehnalová (S&D, CZ)."

Installation of the new system is expected to add €100 to the cost of a new car.