This week, as we observe Fatality Free Friday, we look at a fast-emerging technology as a value-add for road users, especially in times of an accident or on-road emergency.
The first hour after a road accident is often called the “Golden Hour” because this is the crucial period that can be critical to a victim’s survival.
If emergency services can respond and reach accident victims within that first hour, there is a much better chance that the crash outcomes won’t add to the more than 1,100 road fatalities on Australian roads each year.
Although the National Safety Strategy reports that there has been a 22.5% reduction over the baseline figure in road deaths, any road death is one too many, and we should be aspiring for a zero-road toll. That is a difficult challenge but one all road safety stakeholders can commit to.
A new generation safety and security emergency call (eCall) system is playing a significant role in making our roads safer.
Just as seat belts and airbags were game-changers for road safety, eCall systems as standard in all vehicles can give motorists a new level of safety, as these operate automatically even if the driver and passengers fall unconscious after a collision.
In Europe, eCall has been mandatory in all new cars and light vans since 2018, and European regulations require all member states to deploy infrastructure for handling eCalls.
A meta-analysis from Europe shows that installing a crash detection device can halve the emergency response time, which is predicted to save between 150 and 200 Australian lives and prevent 2,500 profound injuries each year.
Today in Australia, only some vehicles come fitted with an automated eCall system. This is a missed opportunity because eCall technology is already saving lives and quickening the response times for those who have access.
ASURE, developed by Intelematics, is such a safety and security eCall platform. In case of an emergency/accident, ASURE automatically connects a vehicle to a call centre operated by trained personnel who can assess, triage, and facilitate an accurate and fast response from emergency services, potentially saving lives as a result.
ASURE combines geolocation, automation and 4G connectivity technologies and, unlike other eCall services, enables the vehicle itself to place a call for help. Not only does ASURE establish an automatic direct connection between the vehicle and the call centre agent, but the person/people we speak to are those that need help and in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
The ASURE platform sends a data packet to first responders who can interpret the information, decide on the seriousness of the incident, and dispatch the appropriate assistance within seconds.
In a recent example, the Intelematics Safety and Security team received an Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) from a vehicle that had been involved in a high speed, single-car accident on a remote stretch of rural road 30 kilometres from the closest town.
As a result, within 20 seconds of the accident, an ASURE agent was speaking with the driver. While the call centre agent triaged the call and engaged emergency services, the driver became non-responsive. However, through the ASURE interface, the call centre agent was able to provide emergency services with accurate information about the exact location of the accident and the state of the driver, making it easier for them to respond quickly.
In a report published by Parliament of Victoria – Inquiry into the increase in Victoria’s road toll, it was stated, “there is a strong link between fatalities and remoteness, with one national study showing that rural and regional areas account for two-thirds of all road fatalities.”
In these situations, an automated eCall system becomes a necessary measure in improving the safety of the driver and passengers in any vehicle. For example, in the case of a vehicle supported by ASURE, the eCall system is triggered automatically and instantly by the deployment of the airbag or through a driver pressing an ‘SOS” button in the vehicle.
This is more effective than the driver using a mobile phone asking for help. The automated eCall system through ASURE connects the vehicle occupant automatically to a trained call centre agent and provides incident information, such as vehicle data and exact location, which cannot easily be communicated to Emergency Services by a caller. Most importantly, the trained agents attending these calls know how to assess the situation and connect the call with the right emergency service with necessary information (accident Lat/Long, the direction of travel, the vehicle speed and make etc.) to ensure quick response times.
Many factors go into making our roads safer, from better-planned roads and intersections to driver education and safer vehicles. eCall capabilities are a level of safety that can significantly contribute towards zero fatalities.
Katherine has extensive CX & Account Management experience. Having worked in Operations in Australia and overseas, she is accustomed to handling unexpected situations. At Intelematics, Katherine is a key contributor in helping ASURE refine its Ops readiness capabilities as the demand for vehicle Safety & Security solutions grows.
