Patrick Hennessy
London
Telegraph
Sunday, January 7, 2007
British motorists face the imposition of "European standard"
speed and drink-drive limits under plans by Brussels to cut deaths
on the road, The Sunday Telegraph has learned.
The European Commission wants a continent-wide "harmonisation"
of traffic laws. This could see many of the penalties currently
set by national governments standardised across the EU.
Britain's permitted level for alcohol in drivers - 80 milligrams
per 100 millilitres of blood - is much more liberal than in most
EU countries where the level is 50 milligrams or less.
advertisementCommission papers say other planned moves would
compel drivers to have their headlights on at all times, and would
give Brussels effective control of Britain's network of speed
cameras.
In addition, British drivers could be made to re-apply for licences
every 10 years - requiring individuals to show they are fit to
drive and placing big potential obstacles in the way of people
fitted with pacemakers and sufferers from angina or diabetes.
The changes are being planned by Jacques Barrot, the French EU
transport commissioner, an ally of President Jacques Chirac. Mr
Barrot's father died from complications after a car crash.
Last night, Chris Grayling, the shadow transport secretary, said
he would write to Douglas Alexander, the Transport Secretary,
to ask why ministers were not doing more to resist the "completely
unacceptable" new rules.
He added: "What I don't understand is why our ministers
are being so weak when it comes to looking after our interests
in Europe and in ensuring that the commission doesn't stifle Europe
in a tide of unneeded regulations.
"Surely it's for the democratically elected governments
of member states to decide policy on things like speed cameras
- not for unelected bureaucrats in Brussels."
The regulations being planned by Brussels are contained in a
series of briefing papers and consultation documents prepared
by the commission. EU officials say the changes are aimed at halving
the number of deaths on EU roads by 2010. They want member states
to change the laws in their own countries voluntarily, but the
documents show they are ready to enforce community-wide rules
if they do not.
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