Drivers look set to be punished for traffic offences they commit abroad, including the four "big killers" causing 75% of road fatalities — speeding, running red lights, failure to use seatbelts and drink driving. European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for transport underlined the need for an EU wide agreement saying "A foreign driver is three times more likely to commit an offence than a resident driver. Many people seem to think that when they go abroad the rules no longer apply to them. My message is that they do apply and now we are going to apply them." EU figures suggest that foreign drivers account for 5% of traffic but around 15 % of speeding offences. Most go unpunished, with countries unable to pursue drivers once they return home. (Author/publisher)
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