112 on your mobile.

Had this sent to me recently, and people may not be aware of it , Maybe Scouse can verify it.



This incident actually happened to someone's daughter. Lauren was 19 yrs old and in college. This story takes place over the Christmas/New Year's holiday break. It was the Saturday before New Year and it was about 1.00pm in the afternoon, and Lauren was driving to visit a friend, when an UNMARKED police car pulled up behind her and put its lights on. Lauren's parents have 4 children (of various ages) and have always told them never to pull over for an unmarked car on the side of the road, but rather wait until they get to a service station, etc So Lauren remembered her parents' advice, and telephoned 112 from her mobile phone. This connected her to the police dispatcher she told the dispatcher that there was an unmarked police car with a flashing red light on his rooftop behind her and that she would not pull over right away but wait until she was in a service station or busy area.

The dispatcher checked to see if there was a police car where she was and there wasn't and he told her to keep driving, remain calm and that he had back-up already on the
way. Ten minutes later 4 police cars surrounded her and the unmarked car behind her. One policeman went to her side and the others surrounded the car behind. They pulled the guy from the car and tackled him to the ground...... ..the man was a convicted rapist and wanted for other crimes. I never knew that bit of advice, but especially for a woman alone in a car, you do not have to pull over for an UNMARKED car.
Apparently police have to respect your right to keep going to a "safe" place. You obviously need to make some signals that you acknowledge them I.e., put on your hazard lights) or call 112 like Lauren did. Too bad the mobile phone companies don't give you this little bit of wonderful information. So now it's your turn to let your friends know about 112 (112 is an emergency number on your mobile that takes you straight to the police because 999 does not work if you have no signal). This is information I was unaware of.

I didnt know that!!but now i do and so does my wife and twin daughter(15)..thats john

John, interesting article mate. I thought that the 112 option worked on any phone, landline or mobile. I will need to confirm that mate as not 100% sure.

In regards to the unmarked car, most should be fitted with blue lights on the front grill or at least inside the windscreen. As the car you mentioned had ONLY a red light on it, I presume this was in America? We DO NOT use red only lights.

I think the advice given is pretty spot on, I would definately advise someone, especially if alone and in a remote area to contact the Police on an emergency number if they are unsure.(NO YOU WONT GET A TICKET!!)

If you continue to drive normally until you reach a place of safety, all that the Police Officer should do is follow you, there would be no need for them to take any stronger action, as there is no immediate danger.


Hope this helps, I will get a definitive answer on the alternative emergency number.

112 is the single emergency telephone number for the European Union. It was established by Council Decision of 29 July 1991 (91/398/EEC) and reinforced through further legislation, namely the directive on the application of open network provision to voice telephony and on universal service for telecommunications in a competitive environment, Directive 98/10/EC.

European citizens in distress situations are able to call the 112 and get through to the emergency services in all Member States. Thus, anyone travelling within the Union has to remember only one number and this guarantees a quicker and more efficient intervention.

[if]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_telephone_number#cite_note-0[/if]

Hi bob.just a bit of info from Berlin .if you ring the emergency services here due to cutbacks in manpower
you have too wait in the phone line until a operater is free

Thanks for the info on the thread,

I'll be sure to show my wife and her friends this one.

Pat