Commissioner Reding said: "An emergency number working throughout the European Union is essential for granting citizens’ security. Above all, for those who travel, security in emergency situations is the other side of the medal of the common market, and of the liberties offered by it". According to a survey on the matter, "95% of EU citizens acknowledge the usefulness of a common number, accessible everywhere". And its good working "is thought to be particularly important for those who live away from the family context". One interviewed out of four had the necessity of calling an emergency number in the last five years, and 40% of the telephone calls were received by 112: 81% of the people "obtained the intervention of an aid unit, 7% received proper information, and 5% got other types of assistance". On the other hand, 8% of the interviewed had difficulties in establishing or keeping communication, and the percentage reached 21% in Poland. Among other things, the survey points out that "9 citizens out of 10 agree on the fact that it is necessary to improve access to emergency services by the disabled".
