Voted by Parliament. System that automatically calls 112 in road accidents to be regulated by law

The Republic of Moldova will regulate by law the operation of the eCall system, which will automatically dial the single emergency number 112 in the event of a road accident, both on the territory of the country and in any member state of the European Union. Parliament voted today, in the first reading, on the draft law amending the Law on the organization and operation of the 112 Service.

The legislative initiative was presented by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Valentin Cioclea. He emphasized that the purpose of the draft is to modernize the regulatory framework of the 112 Service and to create the necessary legal basis for implementing in the Republic of Moldova the European eCall system – an automatic in-vehicle emergency call service.

“Thus, in the event of a serious road accident, the eCall system automatically initiates a call to the single emergency number 112 and simultaneously sends to the call-taking center a minimum set of data necessary to locate the incident and organize the intervention by the specialized services. This mechanism is particularly important in situations where the vehicle’s passengers are unconscious and cannot call for help. In other words, the system can save lives even when no one is able to make a phone call,” Valentin Cioclea underlined.

For this mechanism to operate in the Republic of Moldova, it is necessary to adapt the regulatory framework of the 112 Service by introducing into the law the concepts of “eCall,” “eCall system,” “minimum set of data,” and “emergency communication,” as well as by supplementing the responsibilities of the 112 Service so that it can receive, process, and transmit information to intervention teams.

“The draft introduces an obligation for manufacturers and importers of vehicles equipped with the eCall system to inform consumers about its functionality and limitations. This does not constitute an obligation to equip vehicles with the eCall system, but only an obligation to inform buyers when the vehicle is already fitted with this technology. The drafting of the project stems from the commitments assumed by the Republic of Moldova in the process of accession to the European Union, being provided for both in the National Accession Plan and in the National Safety Program for 2025–2030,” noted Valentin Cioclea.

eCall is a technology used in all EU member states. The system automatically and free of charge calls 112 in the event of a road accident, or it can be activated manually by pressing a button. Its operation does not depend on the country in which the vehicle was purchased or registered. When activated, the system establishes a connection with the call-taking centers, allowing audio communication with operators and the automatic transmission of a minimum set of data needed for a rapid response. eCall calls are treated with the same priority and promptness as any 112 call.

After adoption in the second reading, the document will enter into force on 13 May 2027, together with the amendments to the Electronic Communications Law. An exception is the provision regarding consumer information by manufacturers and importers of vehicles equipped with eCall, which is proposed to enter into force in 2030.