North Wales Police is urging motorists to familiarise themselves with their vehicle’s in-built emergency call system after seeing a rise in 999 calls triggered unintentionally.
Since 2018 eCall has been fitted to all new cars and is designed to automatically contact emergency services in the event of a serious collision. However, Communications Operators are increasingly receiving calls from drivers who have mistakenly pressed the SOS button, believing it connects them to breakdown or recovery services.
North Wales Police has seen an increase in calls where motorists have either pressed the SOS button accidentally or used it in non-emergency situations such as vehicle breakdowns.
These calls are treated as potential emergencies until confirmed otherwise, meaning officers and control room staff must prioritise them, which can divert resources from genuine incidents.
North Wales Police have reminded motorists that the SOS button should only be used in genuine emergencies, including:
- Road traffic collisions
- Medical emergencies requiring urgent assistance
- Situations where there is an immediate risk to life or safety
The system is not designed for breakdown support or general assistance.
If your vehicle breaks down, you should:
- Contact your breakdown provider or insurer
- Use designated roadside assistance services
- Only call 999 if you are in immediate danger, such as being stranded in a live traffic lane
Drivers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the location of the SOS button in their vehicle and take care not to press it unintentionally.
If the system is activated in error, motorists should remain on the line and inform the call handler so emergency services are not deployed unnecessarily.
North Wales Police Deputy Call Centre Manager Peris Hatton said:
“eCall technology plays a vital role in helping emergency services respond quickly to serious collisions and save lives. However, it’s important that it’s used correctly. Accidental or inappropriate use places additional demand on our control room and can delay our response to those who genuinely need urgent help.
By understanding how eCall works and when to use it, motorists can help ensure emergency services remain available for those in real need.
(Picture: Vesos)
