Germany reviews highway emergency call pillar system

Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport and the Autobahn GmbH are reviewing the necessity of the current emergency call pillar system on highways. There are approximately 17,000 such pillars located across the country, but usage has declined significantly due to the widespread availability of mobile phones and the introduction of the eCall system.

Data indicates that emergency reports via these pillars dropped from roughly 167,000 in 2009 to approximately 30,000 in 2023. The review aims to identify ways to reduce costs while maintaining or increasing traffic safety levels.

Financial figures show that costs for operation, maintenance, and the emergency center were approximately 8.2 million euros in 2024, and are projected to be around 4.5 million euros in 2025. A final decision regarding the reduction or removal of these pillars has not yet been made.