By Martin Banks - 12th April 2011
Such initiatives will enhance the safety and security of UK citizens
Olivier Paul-Morandini
MEPs have launched a campaign to raise awareness of the 112 emergency number.
Liberal Democrat deputy Diana Wallis said she wants the commission to press member states to do more to promote the number.
Wallis contacted UK air and sea carriers ahead of the European 112 day on 11 February asking that they that make their passengers aware of the number on that day.
Speaking at a news conference in parliament on Tuesday, Wallis, a UK member, said, "We would estimate that since I first wrote to the carriers in the UK ahead of the 112 day, about a quarter of them have committed to improve communications about the 112 number.
"This is good but clearly more needs to be done.
"I have invited all other UK carriers not so far committed to join in the campaign ahead of the Easter holidays."
She has organised an event on 12 April drawing attention to the lack of knowledge about the 112 number and demonstrating what some companies have done to alert their passengers, to swap ideas and show best practice and try and bring other carriers into the campaign.
Even though 112 has been in place since 1991, awareness of it within the EU, particularly the UK, remains low with less than one in 10 people having heard of it.
112 is the principal emergency telephone number that can be dialled free of charge from any telephone or any mobile phone in order to reach emergency services - ambulances, fire-fighters and the police - in all EU countries.
Not only is the number available across the EU free of charge, English speaking operators are available in almost every EU member state.
However, the latest survey shows that only eight per cent of people in the UK have heard of the 112 number, the third lowest in the EU and, not surprisingly, well below the EU average.
One of the companies which agreed to promote the number is P&O and a spokesman said, "We are carrying information about this important number on our website and we have started including similar details in the email confirmations we are sending out to those thousands of customers who book directly with us every week.
"We have also briefed our 4000 staff, many of whom interact directly with customers and are now able to engage them in conversation on the subject."
Another firm was Easyjet - a message was broadcast on every one of its flights for seven days after 112 day. Approximately 250,000 passengers received the message.
Olivier Paul-Morandini, founder of the 112 foundation, the body established to promote knowledge of the 112 number, said, "The 112 foundation warmly welcomes this initiative.
"Such initiatives will enhance the safety and security of UK citizens. We also take the opportunity to call upon the UK authorities to support and promote similar initiatives to publicise 112.
"Meanwhile, it is obvious that the EU institutions, in particular the commission, should encourage further awareness campaigns involving the travel and tourism industry."
Siim Kallas, vice president of the commission, with responsibility for transport, said, "People are entitled to travel in safety wherever they go in Europe.
"As part of our ongoing commitment to improve road safety further, we are aiming to halve the number of road deaths by 2020. However, should an accident still occur, then 112 is a great way to get help in English regardless of what European country you are in."
