EU Says Romania Should Make 112 Emergency Service More Appealing

A study, performed by Telecoms for the European Commission, indicates that only 22% of EU citizens would call 112, in case of emergency, according to a press release issued by europa.eu.

“Since the EU Telecoms Rules entered into force in 2003, 26 of the 27 Member States have made it possible for citizens to call 112 from fixed and mobile phones,” the press release states.

The EU feels that the adequate promotion of the 112 number is the next step in the assurance of efficiency on European territory.

"An emergency number that functions effectively across the EU is a pivotal instrument for ensuring the safety of our citizens. Especially for travelers, safety in emergencies is the other side of the coin of the single market and the freedoms it offers. Citizens should be able to call the same emergency number wherever they are or travel in Europe," said Viviane Reding, the EU Telecoms Commissioner.

Since 1998, EU legislation states that citizens will be able to freely call the 112 emergency number from any type of telephone. After legislation reform, in 2003, Telecoms asks operators to supply to emergency dispatchers the exact location of the person performing the call, to increase the intervention speed.

To render the new legislation more efficient, the EU is targeting 14 countries, including Romania, because these states do not offer caller location.

This service is also deficient in Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and other member states. If the 14 countries fail to increase the efficiency of the 112 service, the EU will take corrective measures against them.

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