Emergency telephoneAustria

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42. Emergency telephone

An emergency telephone is a dedicated roadside or tunnel telephone that connects road users directly with an emergency, traffic-control or roadside-assistance centre. Emergency telephones are commonly installed in tunnels, along motorways or at other locations where quickly reporting an accident, breakdown or fire is important. They can provide operators with useful information about the caller’s location and may remain available where mobile-phone reception is poor.

Emergency telephone
An emergency telephone. (Donau, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • GT1976 • CC BY-SA
What is an emergency telephone?

An emergency telephone is a dedicated telephone used to contact emergency services, a traffic-control centre or roadside assistance from the road.

Where are emergency telephones commonly found?

They are commonly installed in road tunnels, motorway emergency areas and other locations where rapid assistance may be needed.

When should you use an emergency telephone?

Use an emergency telephone to report situations such as a breakdown, accident, fire or other serious road emergency when assistance is required.

Why use an emergency telephone instead of a mobile phone?

An emergency telephone may allow the operator to identify your location immediately and connect you directly with the responsible control centre. It can also be useful where mobile reception is poor.

Are emergency telephones available on every motorway?

No. Their availability varies between countries and road networks. Mobile phones and emergency apps have replaced many traditional roadside call boxes.

Is an emergency telephone free to use?

Dedicated emergency telephones are generally intended for emergency assistance and do not require normal telephone payment, although systems vary between countries.

1 Austria 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Cycling street 12 Pedestrian zone 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Give way to oncoming traffic 24 Railway crossing 25 Mandatory direction 26 Turn prohibition 27 School area 28 Overtaking 29 Crossing animals 30 Wrong-way driving 31 Roadworks 32 Height limit 33 Width limit 34 Weight limit 35 Priority at the next junction 36 Traffic lights 37 Pedestrian lights 38 Speed feedback 39 Driving licence 40 Location marker 41 Traffic mirror 42 Emergency telephone 43 International border 44 Cycling route 45 Parking 46 No parking 47 No stopping 48 Disabled parking 49 Reversing 50 Uncontrolled crossroad 51 Road surface 52 Provisional licence 53 Runaway truck ramp 54 City limit 55 Cyclist crossing 56 Horn 57 Licence plate 58 Charging station 59 Dangers 60 Cyclist 61 Bus 62 Police 63 Ambulance 64 Police signals 65 European emission standard 66 Pothole 67 Private property 68 Path 69 Particulates 70 Air pollution 71 Rush hour 72 Road code 73 Street gutter 74 Cargo bike 75 Forestry vehicle 76 Construction vehicle 77 Semi-trailer truck 78 Trolleybus 79 Speed pedelec 80 Delivery vehicle 81 Idling 82 Tow truck 83 Four-wheel drive 84 No vehicles 85 Bicycle 86 Motorcycle equipment 87 Tram 88 Rail track 89 Caravan 90 Trailer 91 Tow hitch 92 Fire truck 93 Siren 94 Convoy 95 Emergency vehicle lighting 96 Agricultural machinery 97 Electric bicycle 98 Electric vehicle 99 Pedelec 100 Quadricycle ...