This article considers the need in traffic law enforcement for effective databases to be backed up by policy, organisational and legislative requirements to ensure that best use is made of the information collected. Data about a vehicle can be connected to the vehicle owner by accessing a relevant database: however, agencies increasingly need to access data across different countries. The requester needs to understand exactly what information is wanted, in which country, and then to identify the relevant database. National legislation does not always allow external agencies or organisations to access vehicle registration or other data, and there may be limitations imposed on use. There is a European system, EUCARIS, for exchanging vehicle and driving licence data. Users must understand the "meaning" of information accessed: in particular, definitions of what constitutes an offence, what data must be exchanged for effective law enforcement, and the format for data exchange. Database managers must ensure the information they hold is correct. As more offences are prosecuted under civil law, agencies will need to deal with requests from private sector organisations. Without more interchange of information, a proportion of the vehicle fleet will be exempt from prosecution.
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