French police target British drivers

French police are set to get the power to deprive British drivers of their licences.

Motorists who commit minor traffic offences in France could for the first time incur points on their licences at home.

The plan is part of a major clampdown on foreign drivers in France and would see them punished for offences including speeding and illegal parking.

Penalties imposed in France would contribute to the 12 points needed to incur a driving ban in this country.

Twelve million Britons cross the Channel each year. In an attempt to catch the summer stream of tourists, French authorities are aiming to have struck a deal with the British Government by July as pressure grows on them to reduce the annual road-death toll of 7,000 - double that in the UK.

But motoring organisations fear British drivers would become easy targets for French police. AA Motoring Trust deputy director Bert Morris said: "If British motorists are 'done' in Paris for a parking or speeding offence, it will be very difficult and expensive for them to defend themselves.

"Most will simply pay up and accept the points. People in southern England are already furious that while French cars don't get prosecuted for speed camera offences, British tourists get on-the-spot fines in France."

Offenders would be punished twice under the new plan, with penalty points here added to fines imposed in France. It would see French police given the right to pass British drivers' details to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea, which would then dispatch penalty notices.

Transport minister Gilles de Robien said France would use the new system to target drivers from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

He added: "Many aspects of the plan still need to be worked out. Currently only Swiss drivers in France get points on their licence back home for speeding in our country. Everyone else escapes with a fine."

M de Robien said in future French drivers would be liable for prosecution at home for committing offences in another country.

Mark MacArthur-Christie of the Association of British Drivers said: "This is appalling. We give this idea 'nul points'."

A Home Office spokesman said the French proposals would be carefully studied.