Most EU citizens don't know emergency number

[February 11, 2011]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union says three out of four citizens in the 27-country bloc don't know the universal European number to call in an emergency.

The EU's commissioner for the digital agenda, Neelie Kroes, says Friday "the European emergency number 112 saves lives, but only if people know about it." She urged member states on Friday do more to ensure people are aware of it. The 112 number was introduced two decades ago and works in all EU states to reach police, fire and ambulance services, in some cases alongside different national numbers. [Associated Press] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.