EU database to track foreign traffic offenders

The EU is to create a database that would permit the tracking and penalising of drivers for offences in any member state, regardless of the offender's country of origin, writes Brian Byrne.

The electronic data exchange system will eliminate the problem of traffic cameras being unable to identify licence plates originating in other countries.

The penalties will be imposable from 2013 on an agreed range of common offences, including not wearing a seat belt, driving through a red light, driving under the influence of drugs, illegal use of the emergency lane, talking on a hand-held mobile phone while driving, failure to wear crash-helmets, and speeding.

There's as yet no protocal agreed on how to enforce such penalties, but according to SLim Kallas, the EU commissioner for transport, 'the police in the member state where you committed the offence will be able to track you down and decide whether and how to prosecute you'.