?The European Emergency Number Association established 112 as the EU wide emergency number more than a decade a go,? said David Williams, Chief Executive of GEM, ?But it is far from common knowledge among UK citizens who think 999 will work everywhere.

?More than 100 million Europeans travel between EU countries every year and they cannot be expected to know or remember the emergency number of every member state. That is why learning 112 is so important. Using it could save at least 5,000 lives around Europe every year.?

To help confident driving when on holiday or business abroad GEM has produced a handy glove-box-sized guide called Your Introduction to Driving in Europe that is available free of charge as part of GEM's road safety charity work.

Apart from general guidance and preparing your vehicle before you travel it deals with what to do if things go wrong and gives a simple country by country guide to rules and regulations that apply in different nations. In Germany for instance it is an offence to make rude signs to other road users and an offence to run out of fuel on a motorway. However carrying a petrol can in a vehicle in Greece is forbidden. In Spain and Switzerland if you wear glasses for driving you must carry a spare pair in the car. In Norway there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving and on hilly roads vehicles travelling down hill have priority.

Your Introduction to Driving in Europe is available free from GEM. To receive a copy call 01342 825676 or write to GEM Motoring Assist at Station Road, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5EN