EU Drivers To Be Pursued In Own Country For Cross Boarder Driving Offences

EU Drivers To Be Pursued In Own Country For Cross Boarder Driving Offences

Police across the EU could be given new powers to prosecute drivers who break the law in another EU member state.

On Thursday, EU transport ministers will discuss a draft directive which aims to set up an EU-wide database of vehicle registration details.

"A foreign driver is 3 times more likely to commit an offence than a resident driver," European Union Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said.

Thousands of drivers currently escape penalties each year when they return to their home country. The draft directive from the Commission calls for cross-border enforcement to curb four "big killers", which account for 75% of road deaths: speeding; ignoring red lights; failure to wear a seatbelt and drink-driving.

According to EU data cited by Mr Kallas, foreign drivers account for 5% of traffic in the 27-nation bloc, but about 15% of speeding offences.

The rules of the EU country where the driving offence was committed will apply. The EU legislations aim is not to standardise penalties for offences - it will still be up to national authorities to decide what action to take.

Car parking fines from other EU countries will not be covered by the legislation. The Commission says the proposal is squarely aimed at financial penalties for drivers - not with penalty points associated with driving licences.

National police forces currently have difficulty in identifying and tracking down foreign vehicles and drivers that are registered outside the country where the driving offence took place.

The level of offences by non-residents is higher in France and Belgium, where many drivers are simply passing through on business or to holiday destinations. As many as half the offences are committed by non-residents in those countries during very busy periods.

If the plans are accepted by EU ministers, it will go to the European Parliament for approval. If Euro MPs vote for it, member states will then have two years to put the legislation into effect.

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