Automatic Crash Notification has tangible benefits in reducing deaths, but they are small, from 1 to 6 percent, according to a recent study. And that is only with perfect functioning of the system. The problem is that most crashes are reported very soon after they occur. Even crashes in rural areas are reported on average within nine minutes. Response times are the problem, especially in remote rural areas. Enhanced 911, which gives the location of the caller, could help, too. It's expected to be phased in starting in 2003. Automatic notification systems did not function perfectly in a test over a five-year period. Five out of 21 cases resulted in no notification, and there were 31 false alarms. Subscription renewal rates of the earliest systems show that only about half the car owners are willing to pay for the basic package, which includes notification. (Author/publisher)
Abstract