Road safety: deal on more robust investigations of traffic offences | News

To prevent reckless driving while abroad, the updated rules will expand the list of traffic offences committed by non-resident drivers that trigger cross-border assistance possibly resulting in a fine for dangerous drivers. In addition to speeding, drink-driving or failing to stop at a red traffic light, EU legislators added dangerous parking and overtaking, crossing a solid line and hit and run offences, amongst other offences.

Mutual assistance and clear deadlines

With approximately 40% of cross-border offences currently going unpunished, MEPs secured more robust assistance procedures between EU countries and an obligation to help find a person liable for a traffic offence. The deal obliges EU country to reply to this kind request without any undue delay, but not later than two months after it gathered all necessary information. In addition, upon request of the country in which the offence occurred, the offender’s EU country of residence can take over the collection of road traffic fines, provided it is higher than 70 euro and has not been paid after all legal actions are exhausted.

The EU country where the traffic offence occurred will have eleven months from the date of the offence to issue a traffic offence notice. The deal also lists the main elements of this offence notice, which, in addition to the time and circumstances of the offence, has to provide information on how to appeal the fine.

MEPs also managed to negotiate a provision whereby two year after new rules will be transposed into national law private entities will be totally banned from helping EU countries to collect traffic fines from foreign drivers.

Online portal

To increase transparency and facilitate the implementation of the new rules, the Commission is tasked with creating an online portal listing the rules, appeal options and the relevant road traffic fines, amongst other information.

Quote

EP rapporteur Kosma Złotowski (ECR, PL) said: “A foreign number plate cannot be a licence for impunity on the road. The updated rules will facilitate the exchange of information on road traffic offenders between member states, while ensuring drivers have easy access to the necessary information through digital communication channels.”

“We managed to extend the scope of the rules only in those areas where it can have a real impact on reducing the number of accidents, including those involving vulnerable road users. We have significantly strengthened the position of drivers, who must be given adequate and timely information in a language they understand about their rights and the procedure for appealing against a penalty.”

Next steps

The preliminary deal still needs to be approved by Council and Parliament. EU countries will have 30 months to transpose new provisions into national law and prepare for its implementation.

Background

The deal on cross border exchange of information on traffic offences rules complements another EU legislation dealing with drivers’ disqualification on which Parliament established its position in February. Both pieces of legislation are part of the Road safety package presented by the Commission in March 2023. The package aims to improve safety for all road users, facilitate the enforcement of traffic rules across borders and to modernise driving licence rules.