For a long time now the EU has been proposing to link up its system of cross border fines for motoring offences. As many will know from taking their cars abroad, they can ignore speeding tickets if caught by a speed camera or parking fines, but that is now coming to an end.
Foreign motorists have often been a target in France by Le Fuzz, they get off the boat at Calais and the minute they are out of the docks they get pulled over to check that they have complied to some of France’s more obscure motoring laws. If they don’t have a fluorescent yellow waistcoat or a complete set of spare bulbs then they are marched off the le cashpoint to draw out their instant fines.
The French government has announced that it is to enact new European Union rules to put an end to foreign motorists flouting their speed limits. They want European transport ministers to agree to tougher rules at their meeting in Luxembourg, they could then be in place for 2010.
Dominique Bussereau, the French transport minister, will be calling for a Europe-wide number plate exchange system so that those caught on camera in one country could face fines and points on their licences in another.
The revelation came out that British police were operating on northern French roads with French police. This undermines the sovereignty of the member nations and it means that once again foreign governments will be able to have access to the details of British motorists.
Although it is obviously a problem in all countries, as no doubt Britain suffers from a large number of continental motorists driving dangerously and getting away with it, there are still some serious implications. How does a British motorist defend himself if wrongly accused by a foreign country? This often happens especially with ‘cloned’ number plates. What happens if that motorist does not respond, who implements the fine? Also is this something the EU arrest warrant may be used for? Then there is the new move for trials in abstentia, could British drivers be tried in foreign courts for alleged offences they have no knowledge about?
Again, this is one of those problems which sounds logical to say that more EU co-operation can solve, but as we have learned from bitter experience, when the EU tackles one problem it creates a whole load of new problems. It’s far better to let a few errant motorists get away with it than undermine, yet again, our sovereignty and legal system.
Foreign motorists have often been a target in France by Le Fuzz, they get off the boat at Calais and the minute they are out of the docks they get pulled over to check that they have complied to some of France’s more obscure motoring laws. If they don’t have a fluorescent yellow waistcoat or a complete set of spare bulbs then they are marched off the le cashpoint to draw out their instant fines.
The French government has announced that it is to enact new European Union rules to put an end to foreign motorists flouting their speed limits. They want European transport ministers to agree to tougher rules at their meeting in Luxembourg, they could then be in place for 2010.
Dominique Bussereau, the French transport minister, will be calling for a Europe-wide number plate exchange system so that those caught on camera in one country could face fines and points on their licences in another.
The revelation came out that British police were operating on northern French roads with French police. This undermines the sovereignty of the member nations and it means that once again foreign governments will be able to have access to the details of British motorists.
Although it is obviously a problem in all countries, as no doubt Britain suffers from a large number of continental motorists driving dangerously and getting away with it, there are still some serious implications. How does a British motorist defend himself if wrongly accused by a foreign country? This often happens especially with ‘cloned’ number plates. What happens if that motorist does not respond, who implements the fine? Also is this something the EU arrest warrant may be used for? Then there is the new move for trials in abstentia, could British drivers be tried in foreign courts for alleged offences they have no knowledge about?
Again, this is one of those problems which sounds logical to say that more EU co-operation can solve, but as we have learned from bitter experience, when the EU tackles one problem it creates a whole load of new problems. It’s far better to let a few errant motorists get away with it than undermine, yet again, our sovereignty and legal system.
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