A CAR has reported its own crash to police – in what may be the first reported use of the technology in Scotland.
Dumfries and Galloway police shared a dramatic picture of an overturned Range Rover on its roof in the middle of the road.
Luckily, there were no injuries as a result of the crash and the incident highlighted the emerging technology that could be standard in all vehicles soon.
The Range Rover was fitted with new technology that allows vehicles which have been involved in a serious road accident to self-report to emergency services.
The serious accident is identified by onboard sensors – say if airbags deploy or seatbelt pre-tensioners trigger.
The European Union ruled that all new cars from March 31st this year should be fitted with the technology, called eCall.
And now, in what is believed to be a first for Scotland – the technology reported a dramatic crash on the A714 in Galloway.
Dumfries and Galloway Police Division shared a picture of their crash on Facebook with the caption: “Police attended this crash on the A714 earlier today, roadway is now clear.
“As well as members of the public reporting the crash to police, the car also automatically contacted emergency services reporting it had been involved in a crash and provided its location.
“No injuries reported in this crash, but, some clever, potentially life-saving tech at work.”
The photograph showed a red Range Rover on its roof lying in the middle of the road, surrounded by debris.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “If that had been someone on their own and they had flipped the car then this technology is really valuable. Especially in rural areas where someone could go off the road and might not be seen, or found for a period of time.
Social media user were quick to respond to the post.
Christopher Carruthers said: “Clever car. Not so clever driver.”
Callum Laird added: “It’s great tech. Volvo made it standard on all of their new models a little while ago – could save a lot of lives.”
Roddy Edgar joked: “Apart from being upside down it looks just like how you see them parked at a supermarket.”
Sam Wood wrote: “First of all, how did that happen? So glad everyone’s ok and what an amazing bit of kit involved.”
Shug Jardine commented: “Great tech. Shame it didn’t tell it’s self not to crash.”
While Glenn Jardine joked: “Pity it couldn’t drive itself tae.”
As well as reporting the crash, the technology allows emergency services to be able to identify the exact location of the crash – and the time and direction the driver were travelling in.
This is important if emergency services are struggling to glean the information from the driver or passengers – who may be dazed or injured.
Olga Selnalova, member of the European Parliament who was in charge of the legislation, said she hoped that it would reduce response time by 50% in rural areas and 40% in urban areas.
One of the most tragic recent examples of how the technology may have helped is the case of John Yuill and Lamara Bell.
In July 2015 the pair’s blue Renault Clio was found just off the M9 near to Stirling – three days after the accident was reported to police.
Ms Bell, 25, and Mr Yuill, 28, died after the accident as both were critically injured.
