The European Commission published a revised cross-border enforcement law in July. The proposal was launched in response to a European Court of Justice ruling in May that said the existing rules, which only came into force in November last year, were adopted on an incorrect legal basis. The ECJ has said the current law could remain in effect until May 2015 while new legislation is agreed.

Antonio Avenoso, executive director of the European Transport Safety Council, said: ‘These rules mean that foreign-registered drivers are no longer able to ignore traffic laws safe in the knowledge that they won’t be penalised when they return home. They are a smart way of deterring people from dangerous driving when they go abroad but will also help member states follow up on traffic offences when drivers put other people’s lives at risk.

‘But the clock is ticking because the current rules, which have already been implemented in most countries, will expire if the EU can’t agree on this new legal proposal before May 2015.  In reality, the changes rest on a legal technicality, so we urge MEPs and transport ministers to reach an agreement as soon as possible. With 500 deaths on EU roads on average every week, there is no time to waste.’

European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) president Aidan Reid added: ‘Cross Border Enforcement is a vital tool for police officers in the road safety work they carry out, and to ensure that there is no more driving away from justice. We have already seen examples of Cross Border Enforcement bringing very encouraging results in countries where arrangements for reciprocal sharing of information are already in place. Make no mistake, this law will save hundreds of lives on Europe’s roads each year.’

Speeding is a primary factor in about one third of fatal collisions and an aggravating factor in all collisions where it occurs. According to the European Commission, non-resident drivers account for approximately 5% of road traffic in the EU but are responsible for 15% of detected speeding offences.