British drivers will soon be at risk of £640 fines while holidaying in the EU – but only until Brexit is completed
Government has imposed new laws that could see British motorists fined for traffic offences while driving in Europe
BRITISH drivers could face fines of as much as £640 for traffic offences while driving in Europe, under new laws to be imposed next month.
Government ministers have confirmed that a change to UK law will come into force on May 6, giving European countries the authority to track down British drivers for offences committed on EU roads by obtaining their driver details.
Past legislation allowed for UK motorists to be fined in Europe only if they were stopped by police or were driving a hire vehicle - where their details then became available for police record.
New laws will now give European police access to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), allowing them to chase motorists guilty of incidents caught on camera.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport told they were obliged to enforce the law change only until Britain leaves the EU in two years time.
“Whilst the UK is still a member of the EU, we are obliged to bring in rules on cross-border enforcement,” “Once we have left the EU, our parliament will have the power to amend the law.”
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The directive is due to cover offences such as speeding, passing through a red light, use of a mobile phone while driving, and driving without wearing a seat belt.
Numerous EU countries enforce hefty fines for speeding, with speed cameras common on most major motorways.
Drivers holidaying in France could face penalties of as much as €750 (£640) if they exceed the speed limit by more than 31 mph.
British police have said they will not use similar systems to penalise foreign drivers in the UK, due to varying rulings on who is responsible for traffic offences - some EU nations hold the registered owner of the vehicle responsible, not necessarily the driver.