Instant Fines
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Britain is to adopt a Continental-style system of on-the-spot cash fines for motorists to stop foreign drivers evading
penalties for speeding and other minor offences. However, under EU law all motorists must be treated the same, which could
mean similar spot fines for British drivers.
On-the-spot fines are the norm in many European countries for traffic and parking infringements. In Spain, the minimum fine is £80 and police may hold the driver until the money is forthcoming, while French police can impose cash fines of up to £520. In Belgium, resident motorists can refuse to pay but a foreigner risks his vehicle being impounded. German police can issue on-the-spot fines or demand a deposit with seven days to pay the remainder. In Italy, fines for speeding are particularly heavy.
Britain is one of only three EU states (the others being Ireland and Finland) that does not have systems to ensure non-residents cannot easily evade sanctions. Whilst police on the Continent can demand cash from speeding drivers and even accompany them to a bank to withdraw the money or impound their vehicles, in Britain minor motoring offences result in fixed penalty notices which cannot be issued without a UK driving licence. A speeding British driver will normally receive a £60 fine and three points; foreign drivers are effectively immune.
As the only other option available to police would be the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the foreign driver, this too falls foul of EU law, as it would be unlawful to arrest an EU national for an offence that would not require the arrest of a British driver. Police have been reluctant to move to the Continental system because of the increased paperwork and responsibility of handling money and credit card payments.
On-the-spot fines are the norm in many European countries for traffic and parking infringements. In Spain, the minimum fine is £80 and police may hold the driver until the money is forthcoming, while French police can impose cash fines of up to £520. In Belgium, resident motorists can refuse to pay but a foreigner risks his vehicle being impounded. German police can issue on-the-spot fines or demand a deposit with seven days to pay the remainder. In Italy, fines for speeding are particularly heavy.
Britain is one of only three EU states (the others being Ireland and Finland) that does not have systems to ensure non-residents cannot easily evade sanctions. Whilst police on the Continent can demand cash from speeding drivers and even accompany them to a bank to withdraw the money or impound their vehicles, in Britain minor motoring offences result in fixed penalty notices which cannot be issued without a UK driving licence. A speeding British driver will normally receive a £60 fine and three points; foreign drivers are effectively immune.
As the only other option available to police would be the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the foreign driver, this too falls foul of EU law, as it would be unlawful to arrest an EU national for an offence that would not require the arrest of a British driver. Police have been reluctant to move to the Continental system because of the increased paperwork and responsibility of handling money and credit card payments.
Fri, 5 Dec 2003
