The Federal Ministry of Transport is currently reviewing whether the existing emergency call pillar system along the federal motorways should be maintained. According to reporting by the “Rheinische Post,” State Secretary Christian Hirte (CDU) explained in a response to a parliamentary inquiry that the volume of emergency calls via the system is rapidly declining. He noted that due to the widespread availability of mobile phones, the emergency call pillars are seldom used. The goal of this review is to reduce costs while ensuring that the level of traffic safety is maintained.
A spokesman for the Autobahn GmbH confirmed this development to the newspaper. The Autobahn GmbH stated that in light of technical advancements, such as the introduction of the eCall system, and the pervasive use of mobile phones, it is currently assessing the continued existence of the current emergency call system on the motorways.
There are currently 17,000 emergency call pillars across Germany. According to the Autobahn GmbH, the annual costs for operation, maintenance, upkeep, and the emergency call center were €8.2 million in 2024, and are projected to be €4.5 million in 2025.
