TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, has welcomed today’s decision by European transport ministers to proceed with cross border enforcement of traffic penalties.

TISPOL president Roar Skjelbred Larsen said: “The police task of enforcement, under existing systems, is undermined when national laws are not respected by visitors.

“Although there are a number of bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements in place, they are frequently unable to deal with the increasingly complex cross-border problems posed by traffic offenders.

“We are therefore delighted by the European transport ministers’ decision in support of the directive, which we know will be an essential step to saving lives on Europe’s roads and to provide fair treatment for all EU citizens.”