Traffic rules apply to all drivers – even those on holiday

(CS) The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has urged motorists driving through Europe on holiday to abide by regional traffic laws, pointing out that come November there will be increased cooperation between EU members states to follow-up driving offences.

By November 7, all EU member states - except the UK, Ireland and Denmark who opted out of the initiative - will have to implement a new EU directive, which foresees greater cooperation to enforce traffic rules across borders.

Eight offences will be targeted in particular under the new directive:

• Speeding
• Not using a seat belt
• Not stopping at red traffic lights or mandatory stop signs
• Drink driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs
• Motorcyclists not wearing a helmet
• Using a forbidden lane
• Illegally using a mobile phone or other communication device

Luxembourg already has cooperation agreements with some European member states, including its neighbours Germany and France. While some motorists may decide not to pay a fine received by mail from across the border, they may be in for a bad surprise when they are stopped by police in the country where the offence was committed.

In May last year, for example, a speeding driver from the Grand Duchy had to pay 160 speeding tickets on the spot, after being stopped by police between Metz and Nancy.

The ACL meanwhile recommends to pay fines incurred abroad. While no points will be deducted from a Luxembourg driving licence abroad, drivers will be penalised according to local laws. This includes driving bans valid for the country where the offence was committed.

To make this easier for drivers, the European Commission has put together a map outlining driving regulations in the EU's member states. You can find this useful map here.