EU urged to fast-track revised cross-border enforcement law

TISPOL and its road safety partners across Europe are urging the EU to fast-track the adoption of a modified law on cross-border enforcement of traffic offences such as speeding. The modified rules, published by the European Commission, come in response to a European Court of Justice ruling in May that said the existing law, which came into force in November last year, had been adopted on an incorrect legal basis. The ECJ has said the current rules could remain in effect until May 2015 while new legisla
July 21, 2014 Read time: 3 mins

650 TISPOL and its road safety partners across Europe are urging the EU to fast-track the adoption of a modified law on cross-border enforcement of traffic offences such as speeding.

The modified rules, published by the 1690 European Commission, come in response to a European Court of Justice ruling in May that said the existing law, which came into force in November last year, had been adopted on an incorrect legal basis. The ECJ has said the current rules could remain in effect until May 2015 while new legislation is agreed. 

Speeding is a primary factor in about one third of fatal collisions and an aggravating factor in all collisions where it occurs.

According to the European Commission, non-resident drivers account for approximately 5 per cent of road traffic in the EU but are responsible for 15 per cent of detected speeding offences. Cross-border enforcement could save 350-400 lives a year according to an official impact assessment. 

TISPOL Director Pasi Kemppainen commented:  “Europe-wide adoption of the new proposal will lead to more effective enforcement, which encourages drivers to comply with safety rules and leads to a rapid reduction in deaths and injuries.  “Careful and considerate drivers, wherever they live in Europe, will have nothing to fear from CBE. As well as ensuring that no one has the chance to drive away from justice, the new legislation will help protect people when they drive abroad, because they will be using roads with greater compliance, fewer traffic offences and lower risks.”

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the 3535 European Transport Safety Council said: “Letting foreign-registered drivers off the hook when they speed or drink and drive is unsafe but it’s also unfair. These rules are a smart way of deterring drivers from dangerous driving when they go abroad but will also help member states track down offenders that put other people’s lives at risk. We urge EU member states and the new European Parliament to give the green light to the new proposal as soon as possible.”

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of UK national road safety charity, 4235 Brake, said: "Through our support services for people bereaved and injured by road crashes, we see time and time again the devastation caused by illegal driving behaviour. The impact is just as catastrophic regardless of where the driver or vehicle is from. Imagine how insulting and incomprehensible it must be then for victims when a driver who puts lives at risk escapes prosecution because their vehicle is registered in another country. Illegal driving crosses borders, so enforcement must cross borders too. We are fully behind this proposal, which would help prevent needless tragedies across Europe."

Enforcement

Related Content

  • March 5, 2015
    New vehicle technologies ‘could help reduce fatalities on European motorways’
    New safety technologies could play a major role in reducing the numbers killed on European motorways, according to the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), in a new report published today. The new analysis of developments in motorway safety shows that, despite recent progress, around 1,900 were killed on motorways in the EU in 2013. The report cites figures from several countries showing that up to 60 per cent of those killed in motorway collisions were not wearing a seatbelt. It calls on the EU to req
    Read More
  • July 18, 2014
    Lytx welcomes transport secretary’s focus on distracted driving
    Driver safety and compliance solutions specialist Lytx Europe has welcomed news that the UK transport secretary is considering a number of options to combat distracted driving. Patrick McLoughlin has suggested that the penalty for using a mobile phone while driving could be doubled from the current three points, while a government spokesman said "Using a mobile phone while driving is extremely dangerous which is why we are considering a number of options to deter drivers." Julie Townsend, deputy chief
    Read More
  • August 22, 2012
    Over 900,000 European drivers tested for alcohol in summer safety operation
    A series of controls to enforce drink driving and drug driving regulations across Europe saw police conduct more than 900,000 breath tests in a seven-day period, of which nearly 18,000 were positive. Motorists were also checked for drugs in the operation, organised by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL), between 4 and 10 June. In total, 928,863 drivers were controlled. There were 17,970 alcohol offences and 2,773 drug offences detected.
    Read More
  • February 12, 2014
    Euro MEPs back plan for automatic 112 call
    The European Parliament's internal market committee has backed EU plans for all new types of car and van to be fitted with automated emergency call devices but opened the door to postponing their introduction beyond the proposed deadline of October 2015. The vote on eCall gives a green light for a pan-European type approval method to ensure the devices meet the necessary technical standards. The decision follows a vote in December in the transport committee to approve legislation for member states to develo
    Read More

Highlighted Content