In Russia, starting from 2015, all new cars will be fitted with obligatory satellite navigation system ERA-GLONASS. First of all, it will be done for safety reasons. ERA corresponds to “urgent accident response” in Russian. In case of an accident (when an airbag is activated, etc.) car's location data will be sent to special services. The cars will be also fitted with an “alarm button” — if the driver spots an accident, he or she can immediately contact an ERA-GLONASS operator.
Apart from assistance in road accidents, the system can run car diagnostics. Information received via satellite systems can also help insurance companies as GLONASS can record driving style, operating time and many other aspects.
And this is not a voluntary option. As reported by auto.vesti.ru, starting from January 1, 2015 vehicles lacking this system will not be able to go on sale on the territory of Customs Union and will fail motor vehicle inspection. Starting from 2017 each new car will be obliged to have onboard GLONASS system, even the models which would have passed certification procedure and would have gone on sale before the year of 2015.
All drivers will be able to start using this system from 2015. Now the big brother is watching us together with a smaller one.
