CAR dashboards could soon feature buttons to call out emergency and breakdown services thanks to a new vehicle tracking service from Trafficmaster. The service is called TrackStar and takes advantage of new telematic technology, combining a GPS global positioning system with a cellular network.

It will give drivers two buttons - E (emergency) and B (breakdown) - which they can press to signal their car's position anywhere in Europe. TrackStar will then open a two-way voice communication between the driver and a call centre manned by the RAC - thanks to RAC Trafficmaster Telematics, the two companies' joint venture.

Negotiations are under way with car makers to fit TrackStar as original equipment, but it will also be available as an aftermarket product for £295, with an annual tracking subscription of £96. TrackStar is due to go live in June. Its announcement saw shares in Trafficmaster leap 95p to £12.20.