The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the European Commission (EC) have joined forces to promote the Single European Emergency Number 112 among bus, coach, taxi and truck operators and their customers across Europe.
In a joint statement, EC vice presidents Neelie Kroes and Siim Kallas stressed: “This is the start of a year-long campaign to make people travelling around the European Union (EU) aware of the number which could save their lives – 112, Europe’s single emergency number. We are delighted the International Road Transport Union has joined the European Commission in this initiative.”
112 is a single European emergency number, which can be dialled from both fixed landline and mobile phones free of charge, throughout the EU. 112 calls are answered by an operator who handles the request either directly or by transferring it to the appropriate emergency service in the country concerned, be it police, ambulance or fire brigade.
IRU general delegate to the EU, Michael Nielsen, said: “For true road transport professionals, every road accident is one too many. Road safety has always been and will continue to remain at the core of the IRU and its members’ priorities. Raising the awareness of company managers, their drivers and indeed their passengers and clients in the bus, coach, taxi and truck sector, is part of our industry culture.
“This is further enhanced by various industry own initiatives, such as training through the IRU Academy, campaigning and disseminating best practices, with the objective of reaching every single company and every single professional driver in Europe.”
Mr Nielsen concluded: “The Single European Emergency Number 112 constitutes a highly efficient tool to further improve road safety, security, and the efficiency of response in emergency cases.” Visit the IRU’s informative website at www.iru.org
