Bid to trace rogue foreign drivers through EU-wide data exchange

NON-IRISH drivers are more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents or breaking the speed limit here than locals, but they frequently disappear after the incident.

But this could be stopped following a proposal that would ensure they could be traced anywhere in the EU.

A EU-wide electronic data exchange network open to the road traffic authorities in all 27 member states would allow offenders to be traced.

An estimated 75% of all road deaths in the EU are caused by speeding, drink driving, not stopping at a red light or not wearing a seatbelt.

Up to 6% of all car accidents in Ireland and 9% of those involving goods lorries involve non-Irish drivers.

But frequently foreign drivers escape prosecution when the vehicle is registered in another member state as the authorities find it difficult to identify the driver or check the address to where the vehicle is registered.

The European Commission has proposed that authorities will be able to exchange information via an electronic network.

The member state where the offence has been committed sends the vehicle registration number and other information to the authorities in the vehicle owner’s home country.

Once the offender has been located he or she will receive all the necessary information including the details of the offence and the fine to be paid if this is relevant and their right to appeal.

Under an existing agreement, if the offender fails to pay up, the gardaí can get the local authorities involved and collect the fine. Currently, in the event of a very serious offence such as a road traffic death, the gardaí can use existing EU agreements to have the suspect extradited through a fast-track mechanism.

Martin Territt, director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, said the proposal was an important part to improve road safety.

“In 2001 we set ourselves the goal of reducing by half the number of deaths on our roads over a 10-year period. If we are to reach this target, we need to tackle this issue and this proposal is another step in this direction,” he said.