Conservative MEPs are this week expected to back measures to help British authorities pursue foreign drivers who break UK traffic laws.

Proposals before the European Parliament in Strasbourg will enable EU countries to swap ownership details of vehicles involved in offences in order to crack down on drivers who return to their home states without paying fines or fixed penalties.

The directive would cover a range of offences including drink-driving, speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel and ignoring red lights or one-way signs.

Conservative transport and tourism spokesman Jacqueline Foster said the proposals would help the police tackle foreign drivers who disregard road safety and the law.

She said: "Most drivers who bring their vehicles on to British roads do so with consideration and respect for road safety.

"But some do break the rules and the consequences can be serious.

"There may even be those who repeatedly ignore the law because they think they can never be punished. That makes me angry.

"The measures which we are backing, and which our Conservative-led Government supports, will go some way into giving our authorities more of a fighting chance when it comes to imposing the law and seeing that justice is done."