Other Emergency Numbers

Source: Missouri Highway Patrol, June 2000

This map depicts the toll-free and special-digit telephone numbers designated by the states for reporting highway emergencies from wireless telephones. Naturally, the lack of standardization creates confusion among motorists, especially those who cross state lines. In 1999 President Clinton signed legislation that designated 911 as the nationwide emergency telephone number. It's expected that, as cities, towns, counties and states implement Phase I and II wireless 911 service, they will also convert these various telephone numbers to 911.

The European Union (EU) has selected 112 as the Union's official emergency number, and required member nations to implement it by Dec. 1992. However, several countries, including England (999), already had three-digit numbers and, since the EU directive, have continued to operate them in parallel with the required 112 number. As yet, the EU has not required nations to use only 112.