The EU is expected to rubber stamp proposals that allow member states to access driver records to see if offences have been committed in other member countries.
Until now, British and some other member states’ motorists have managed to avoid having to pay fines when caught speeding when travelling abroad.
The UK, Ireland and Denmark had opted out of the traffic information exchange rules, until now as there seems little chance that these countries can continue their stand.
At present motorists using their own vehicles abroad avoid punishment if they are caught by speed cameras. They only face fines if they are stopped by a police officer at the roadside.
The European Parliament is expected to vote in favour of measures that give police forces the power to issue fines across Europe and to pursue offenders in overseas courts.
The new rules are expected to be supported by the vast majority of MEPs, and cover penalties for speeding, ignoring red lights, drink and drug driving and driving while using a mobile phone.
As well as access to drivers’ records, there are plans to harmonise penalty points during 2016, which could result in points for offences committed on holiday being added to drivers’ records.
Those countries in favour of the harmonisation of records and rules say the move will lead to safer roads across the union and legal consistency.
Motoring groups claim that their nation's motorists may be at a disadvantage with points for minor overseas offences being added, despite those offences not being offences in their home country.
Either way, when these rules come into play, the days of worry free holiday speeding are at an end.
