Europe’s continent-wide emergency call number might save lives if anybody knew about it. But after years of existence only one out of four European Union citizens are aware of the 112 hotline.
On 11/2, the date chosen by the EU to spread the word on 112, the European commission cited a survey showing only 26 percent of the 27-nation bloc’s half a billion citizens knew the number to call police, firefighters or medical services anywhere across the union.
In Britain, Greece, Italy and Cyprus the proportion slumped to one in 10. EU telecom rules dating back to 2003 require 112 be available from fixed and mobile phones free of charge — though a German tourist calling in Finland would need to speak Finnish, Swedish or English to get help fast for that vital 10-second span that can save a life. Alternatively, the caller could wait for an interpreter. Over the years, the EU has taken action against countries not working to get 112 up and running, but sending the message to Europeans has been even harder — in 2008, 22 percent of citizens were aware of it compared to 26 percent now.
In 2009 the EU ruled that citizens travelling with mobile phones while roaming across Europe be told by SMS about 112 free of charge. But the survey released Friday says 81 percent of travellers claim not to have received the information. Currently several countries are using 112 as their national emergency number — the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Sweden — and it can also be picked up outside the EU, in Croatia, Montenegro and Turkey. “112 saves lives but only if people know about it,” said commissioner Neelie Kroes. “Member states must do more.”
Brussels, Feb 11, 2011 (AFP)
