Harmonisation needed for road safety in Europe claims MEP

To this end, the Transport Committee of the European Parliament has voted in favour of a report on cross-border enforcement in the field of road safety.

Through effective data exchange between the member states, a cross-border law enforcement should be possible Europe-wide in future. "A high level of safety for the whole EU can only be guaranteed if the traffic offence can be punished in all member states. This is the only way to create a fair system, which applies to all road users equally and which enables us to reduce hazards caused by severe traffic offences such as drink-driving or massive excesses of the speed limit", said Georges Bach, MEP.

"All member states have to implement the directive to ensure a cross-border law enforcement and security on the streets of Europe. The European Parliament's goal is that in the future, all member states commit themselves to cross-border law enforcement," Mr Bach continued.

The council had amended the legal basis for the directive, so it is now possible for some member states not to participate. Thus, the UK and Ireland will not implement the directive. Denmark reserves the right to opt out, so it could step back at any time from the implementation of the directive.

Dangerous traffic offences which the cross-border law covers, include speeding, not wearing a seat belt, not stopping at a red light and drink-driving. The list of offences has been expanded to cover crimes such as driving under the influence of drugs and using mobile phones while at the wheel.