There is increasing evidence from different Member States that non-resident drivers flout traffic laws when travelling abroad as they do not fear punishment. The implications are twofold: firstly, their dangerous behaviour can lead to road accidents, and secondly it raises criticism in the country they are travelling as police are not always able to fairly apply the sanctions. In France, in the first four months of operation of the national automated speed enforcement system (which started in 2003), approximately 25% of the violations were committed by vehicles registered outside France. The enforcement of traffic law is one of the most effective ways of reducing road casualties in Europe. Police enforcement of rules covering speeding, drink driving and the use of seat belts alone can help avoid 14 000 fatalities by 2010, according to Commission estimates. Yet more must be done urgently to see that these rules are applied equally to all EU nationals as they travel across national boundaries. (Author/publisher)
Abstract