It will be two years before an efficient cross-border system for fining drivers who commit offences in other European countries can be implemented. The European Parliament has voted for the cross-border traffic offence policy to be introduced. This will mean that drivers will be punished for offences committed in other EU nations.
Four common offences result in 75% of road fatalities; speeding, jumping traffic lights, failing to use seatbelts and drink driving and these will be the focus of the cross-border fine system. Less serious offences will be exempted however. The new rules will allow for an electronic exchange of data between the European nations in which an offence has been committed and the country where a vehicle is registered. Once the vehicle keeper's name and address are known, a letter will be sent to the offender.
The rules will leave it up to the EU country where the offence has been committed to decide whether to follow up the offence. Nor will the directive harmonise rulings on traffic offences or on penalties imposed. Data from the EU suggests that foreign drivers account for some 5% of traffic and as much as 15% of speeding offences.
The system in use at present means that the majority of cross border traffic offenders are not punished for breaking the law once they return to their own country however. The proposals do require final approval by the governments of the various EU countries before becoming law. Member states will then have a two-year period to turn the EU legislation into national law.
