Euro speed trap

Leadfoots are crying into their bier, vin rouge and grappa this week, upon hearing the news the European Parliament has approved new cross-continent speeding fine laws.

The laws are designed to punish drivers who have escaped fines by speeding in one country but living in another.

In evidence that helped ring in the new law, the European Commission estimated that non-resident drivers accounted for about five per cent of road traffic but racked up 15 per cent of the speeding fines.

The new laws will cover more than speeding, though, and include a crackdown on drink driving, traffic light compliance and using mobile phones while driving.

"Today's vote will help put an end to the injustice of foreign drivers escaping traffic penalties while locals get punished for the same offence," the Executive Director of the European Transport Safety council, Antonio Avenoso, said.

"This is long overdue. The deterrent effect is important, knowing that you can be caught plays a key role in preventing dangerous driving," he added.

While the law will begin operation before the end of the year across most of the continent, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom will have an additional two years of leeway.

Picture courtesy of Leit/Wikimedia Commons