Drivers travelling to Europe this summer have been warned they could be slapped with hefty penalties after police forces have ramped up speed enforcement operations and cracked down on other driving rules.
The Europe-wide crackdown, spearheaded by the traffic police network Roadpol, aligns with the peak summer travel period, when thousands of British families drive abroad for holidays.
Authorities across more than 20 countries have been participating in the initiative, which coincides with the British school holidays, which traditionally causes a high-traffic season on European roads.
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During this period, law enforcement agencies have introduced heightened speed monitoring and enforcement, with particular focus on areas with poor safety records and zones near schools and hospitals, with the goal of reducing road casualties during one of the busiest periods of the year.
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Drivers have been warned to follow European driving laws this summer
In response, the AA has issued an alert to British drivers, urging extra caution while abroad. The motoring organisation has warned that traffic violations can be expensive and, in serious cases, may even result in driving bans.
AA President Edmund King noted that many British tourists tend to adopt a more relaxed approach behind the wheel once they cross the Channel.
“Some drivers get into holiday mode as soon as they cross the Channel,” he said. “They relax, and sometimes this means not following the speed limits.”
His comments follow the recent release of UK Government figures showing that excessive speed contributed to 21 per cent of all fatal road collisions in 2023.
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European police have begun targeting UK drivers in their latest enforcement operation
King added: “UK drivers taking their cars to Europe this summer need to be extra vigilant and stick to the speed limits.
“Getting caught speeding abroad can be costly, and in more extreme cases, can mean suspension of your driving licence. European police will be out in force this week, targeting speeding drivers.”
Fines for traffic offences vary significantly across Europe. For instance, a driver caught travelling at 71kph per hour in a 50kph zone might face a fine of £68 in Germany or Ireland. In Belgium and Spain, the same offence would cost £128, while in France the penalty would be £115.
Using a mobile phone while driving is another common offence, with fines reaching £204 in the Netherlands. In Spain, the penalty is £170, and in France, it’s £115.
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Belgian authorities issue a fine of £99 for the same violation, while German and Irish drivers face fines of £85 and £51, respectively.
However, drivers have been warned to pay particular attention to drink-driving offences, which carry some of the highest fines across Europe.
The minimum penalty in Germany and Spain is £426, while in Ireland, the fine is £170, but more worryingly, it comes with an automatic three-month driving ban. French authorities impose a minimum fine of £115, while in Belgium it’s £152, and in the Netherlands, £255.
All of these countries enforce a legal blood alcohol limit of 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, a much lower limit than the legal limit of 80 milligrams in England and Wales.
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Drink-driving rules vary in different countries, with drivers warned to follow the legal limit abroad
Drivers have also been warned that speed camera detection devices, which are legal in the UK, are banned in many EU countries. France imposes a hefty £1,278 fine for their use. In Spain, having a detector incurs a fine of £170, but using a signal-blocking jammer could cost a driver up to £5,112.
British drivers have also been warned they cannot simply evade penalties by returning home. Since May 2017, the EU Cross-Border Enforcement Directive has enabled authorities in member states to pursue UK-registered vehicles for a range of safety-related violations.
Under this system, European traffic authorities can request driver details from the UK’s DVLA within 12 months of an offence.
