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EU road safety proposals to slash road deaths by half
Page 14
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By Patric Cunnane DRIVERS WHO endanger road safety in another member state will be fined on their return home under EU proposals that are aimed at halving road deaths by 2010.
Four offences are being targeted, which the European Commission says are responsible for up to 75% of deaths. These are drink-driving: speeding; failing to stop at red lights and not wearing a seat belt.
The proposal was adopted by the Transport and Tourism Committee in Brussels, and will go forward to the European Parliament this autumn.
The proposal establishes an electronic system for member states to exchange data on offences. The vehicle registration number and other data will be sent to the offender's home country.
Once it is confirmed that the vehicle is registered in that particular country, the relevant national authority will press the vehicle's owner for payment of that penalty.
One MEP has suggested fines should begin at €70, The new regime means UK operators could face action against their 0-licences if drivers commit offences abroad.
When the directive comes into force, a two-year period of evaluation will follow. The EC will then decide if it should be extended to other offences.
London Labour MEP Robert Evans, a member of the Transport Committee, believes that it should be extended, "Concentrating on just a few issues is a missed opportunity," he says. He adds: "What about those those who fail to pay the congestion charge; use a mobile phone while driving or drive in a bus lane?"
He cites the case of one French driver who has so far evaded 100 congestion charge payments.
• This auttunn's legislative programme includes many issues that could affect operators.
A proposal for a Eurovignette directive in which trucks are tolled for using Europe's roads was talked about by the Transport Committee. Many MEPs said the proposal could only be accepted if the cash raised was earmarked for transport improvements.
A working document will be produced next month.