Six-in-10 motorists off to Europe this summer don’t know which number to call in an emergency

With Brits set to take millions of car trips across the Channel this summer,* new RAC research has found six-in-10 (62%) don’t know the right number to call to get help in an emergency.**

Just 38% of those surveyed by RAC Europe knew they should call 112 in the event of an emergency in the European Union. Among the others, a third (32%) worryingly have absolutely no idea which number to call if they found themselves in need of urgent help on the continent, while one-in-10 (12%) say they would dial 999 – the UK’s three-digit emergency services’ number. A similar proportion (11%) think the correct number to dial for help is 111 – the NHS non-emergency line.

Four per cent mistakenly believe the number to call is 101, which is the non-emergency line for UK police forces, and three per cent think they should dial 911, the emergency number in the United States and Canada.

Know your numbers

The RAC’s research also found that many drivers are breaking EU rules by displaying the incorrect country letters on their vehicles while abroad. The figures show more than four-in-10 (42%) do not plan to display ‘UK’ on their car when taking it out of the country this year. In September 2021, it became a legal requirement for motorists to ensure their vehicle contains a ‘UK’ identifier that is clearly visible when driving a UK-registered car abroad.

While 42% of drivers plan to use a ‘UK’ sticker, 16% intend to rely on the UK lettering on their number plate and 23% intend to display an outdated ‘GB’ sticker or lettering which was the version used before Brexit. Two-in-10 (19%) don’t plan on using any sort of country identifier at all, which is also against the rules. The RAC is urging drivers to check well in advance of heading to Europe to avoid on-the-spot police fines if caught without one.

RAC Europe spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “Before drivers venture to the continent for their holidays this summer, it’s important they make sure they are displaying the UK identifier on the back of their vehicles, whether that’s on their car’s numberplate or a sticker. They should also know the right number to ring if they need to call out the emergency services while they’re away.

“The 112 number is the pan-European equivalent of 999 and can be used pretty much anywhere throughout Europe for emergencies, including the UK. Every second counts in the event of a dangerous collision, so getting through to the emergency services first time round could quite literally be the difference between life and death.

“It’s also really important to display the right letters on the back of the car, as some countries’ authorities can impose hefty penalties for driving without one. Any outdated GB lettering must be removed or covered up with a UK sticker instead. A UK sticker only costs a few pounds online which is a small price to pay to avoid a hefty fine.

“A dream road trip abroad can quickly turn into a nightmare without the peace of mind of having RAC European breakdown cover in place before setting off. The RAC offers members both annual European breakdown policies or single trip cover which helps to avoid unnecessary stress and significant additional expenses should something happen to their vehicle.

“Anyone taking their car from the UK to Europe this year should research the differing traffic laws in the countries they plan to drive in to understand the correct equipment they need to carry. The news and advice section of the RAC website contains guides for driving through every country in Europe, including France which most UK drivers will pass through if heading to the continent on holiday.”

*Source: ONS, Travel Trends. Latest available figures in Table 7 for 2023 indicate 9.1m million were made to the EU from the UK via sea ports and the Channel Tunnel, with 5m of these alone being to France

**RAC Opinion Panel survey of 1,778 drivers, of which 37% have driven their own car or ridden their own motorbike in Europe in the past