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Local Euro MP and Labour Transport
spokesman Brian Simpson has welcomed moves by the European Union to
harmonise Road Safety rules and cross border encorcement of traffic
regulations.
Speaking in the debate at the
European Parliament in Brussels, Mr. Simpson pointed out that many
motorists commit road traffic offences in another country and get
away scott free from any penalities.
"As it stands, if you get a
parking or speeding ticket when abroad, you can avoid paying it
when you return home, and frankly I think that is wrong" said Mr.
Simpson.
Also proposed are measures to
harmonise blood/alcohol levels, seat belt requirements, speed
limits and use of mobile phones.
"Over 40,000 people die each year
on Europe's roads which is a death toll that requires action.
Yet each country has a different way of dealing with this and what
has become apparent is that foreign drivers are avoiding
paying tolls, fines and other costs and are not conforming to
national regulations" said Mr. Simpson.
One problem that could affect
Manchester and its congestion charges are
foreign
registered vehicles. This is
not one off visitors this is a problem of people doing it on a
regular basis and is something Manchester will have to
address.
Hopefully if we can get an EU
agreement whereas fines and tolls can be collected by Member States
and then passed on to the Country concerned, this will help
alleviate the problem of foreignb evasion" said Mr.
Simpson.
Also, Mr. Simpson would like to
see a system introduced throughout the whole of the EU where a
driving ban in one country means you are banned in all 27 and a
reduction in Britains current high blood/alcohol levels when it
comes to drink driving.
"We have to be clear that Britain
is still one of the best countries when it comes to road safety
because our Police enforce its right to expect all foreigners to
pay our charges and fines then it's right that the British also pay
when abroad" said Mr. Simpson.
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Need to harmonise road safety enforcement
