Skip to main content

EU transport committee votes for cross-border enforcement of traffic offences

Motorists who speed, ignore red lights or drink and drive when in a European country other than their own will be brought to book more easily, thanks to closer cooperation between European police forces and EU-wide enforcement of traffic rules, under plans approved yesterday by the European Parliament's transport committee. However, the UK and Ireland decided not to opt in to the system, while Denmark is entitled to opt out because the Council changed the legal basis of the directive from "transport" to "po
May 18, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Motorists who speed, ignore red lights or drink and drive when in a European country other than their own will be brought to book more easily, thanks to closer cooperation between European police forces and EU-wide enforcement of traffic rules, under plans approved yesterday by the European Parliament's transport committee. However, the UK and Ireland decided not to opt in to the system, while Denmark is entitled to opt out because the Council changed the legal basis of the directive from "transport" to "police cooperation" at first reading.

Throughout the rest of the EC, traffic police authorities will be able to pursue offenders in their home country by using the Eurocaris data exchange system. Speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, failure to wear seatbelts, illegal use of mobile phones, using bus lanes, not wearing helmets when riding a motorcycle and crossing red lights are among the offences covered by the legislation.

Harmonising basic traffic rules and setting common standards for sanctions and enforcement procedures in future would help further reduce the death toll on Europe's roads, MEPs stressed during the debate ahead of the vote which was adopted yesterday by a large majority. The directive will enter into force at the latest two years after adoption and will be subject to close monitoring and assessment by the 1690 European Commission.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Almost ten per cent growth predicted for road safety market by 2021
    November 3, 2016
    According to a new market research report "Road Safety Market by Solution (Red Light Enforcement, Speed Enforcement, Incident Detection System, Bus Lane Compliance, and Automatic License Plate Recognition), Service (Consulting & System Integration and Risk Assessment) - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the road safety market is estimated to grow from US$2.60 billion in 2016 to US$4.06 billion by 2021, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3% during the forecast period. The
  • Can ADAS impact middle-income countries?
    September 20, 2013
    Recent research by SBD shows that road-related fatalities are the eighth leading cause of death globally with more than a million people dying each year. Middle income countries, which include most ASEAN economies, account for 72 per cent of the world’s population and contribute to about 80 per cent of road traffic fatalities.
  • Shaking up the taxi market with smarter ride requests
    February 24, 2016
    Timothy Compston looks at the rise of Uber and ride request mobile apps. There is little doubt that the advent of Uber has come as major shock to established taxi operators and has caused regulators, cities and DOTs to rethink current regulations so they can keep pace with the changing dynamics of the marketplace.
  • EU court rules Uber must be regarded as a transport company
    May 11, 2017
    A ruling by an representative of the Court of Justice of the European Union has dealt a potential blow to ride-hailing company Uber, saying it is not merely a digital enabler but provides a transport service, which means it must be licensed in order to operate.