A survey of members by road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist shows overwhelming support for a forthcoming Europe-wide framework relating to traffic law offenders.

One in four respondents (79%) say they are in favour of proposals to ensure that foreign drivers should no longer be able to escape unpunished after committing offences that would lead to £100 fines and penalty points for British drivers.

And two-thirds (67%) believe that cross border enforcement will improve road safety across Europe.

This ties in with statistics from a European Commission impact assessment survey that estimates between 350 and 400 lives would be saved annually on the roads of Europe through greater levels of compliance with traffic laws.

The survey also revealed that 66% of respondents believe more effective enforcement will lead to a reduction in deaths and injuries on Europe’s roads, while 68% said that support for cross border enforcement by the UK government would help reinforce the UK’s position as a road safety front runner in Europe.

GEM chief executive David Williams CBE said: “UK drivers know there will be consequences if they are detected by a speed camera. That’s why we welcome the new proposal from the European Commission on cross border enforcement and are proud to stand alongside the European Traffic Police Network, the European Transport Safety Council and the UK’s own Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety in calling on the UK Government to support it.

“Careful and considerate drivers, wherever they live in Europe, will have nothing to fear from CBE. The new legislation will help protect people when they drive abroad, because they will be using roads with greater compliance, fewer traffic offences and lower risks.”