Only 1/3 of Estonians Know 112 Is Pan-European
Published: 13.02.2012 09:45
Photo: Postimees/Scanpix
Around 90 percent of Estonians are aware that 112 is the nation’s main emergency number but only 33 percent know it can be used EU-wide, a recent survey by the European Commission reveals.
General awareness of 112's pan-European functionality was found to be low, with just over a quarter of EU residents correctly identifying it as the number to call for police, ambulance and fire brigades across the 27-member block.
The highest awareness was recorded in Poland (60 percent), followed by Luxembourg (55 percent) and Finland (51 percent). The three-digit number was least recognized as the pan-EU emergency contact in Greece and Italy - both 6 percent.
The European Commission presented the survey on February 11, when European 112 Day is celebrated in all member states.
To raise 112-awareness, European Commission vice presidents Neelie Kroes from the Netherlands and Siim Kallas of Estonia initiated a year-long campaign, calling on all transportation and travel companies to spread the word.
Europe's single emergency number was adopted by the commission in 1991.
Ingrid Teesalu