Brussels, 22/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 21 February, European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas took part in a large scale international road control operation organised by TISPOL, the European traffic police network. Hundreds of vehicles were submitted to checks, and numerous infringements were detected. This proves the importance of efficient and coordinated control authorities in Europe for guaranteeing road safety.
Kallas joined around 60 police officers from the whole of Europe who led this large scale operation on Belgian and French motorways. Hundreds of lorries, buses and cars were stopped and checked, and the police were also joined by representatives from customs. The head of TISPOL, Koen Ricour, said that this was one of the largest-scale control events between the two countries, and he also stated that technology “can play a central part in denying criminals the use of Europe's roads, and in helping to make a safer environment”.
Tachograph, speed and alcohol. During the five-hour control operation just over 120 lorries were checked, after which two were prohibited from continuing. Nearly one out of five lorries were not in line with European legislation on tachographs (the instruments recording the break and working time of professional drivers). A review is now under way to prevent fraud more effectively. The respect of speed limits was also checked for over 3,000 vehicles and 71 vehicles were found to be breaking the limit. In addition around 100 breath tests were carried out and two proved positive.
Cooperation and technology. At the end of this display of power and it results, Kallas said that “too many Europeans are still victims of reckless drivers who do not respect rules on driving times, technical roadworthiness, speed and alcohol. Cooperation among police at European level is a powerful tool to prevent such behaviour and I am very pleased that TISPOL has organised - with support from the European Union - this concerted control action. We are all committed to one and the same objective - the reduction of death and serious injury on EU roads.” Ricour also stressed that despite that pressure on public budgets, the police remain well equipped - thanks in particular to investment in the latest technology. (MD/transl.fl)