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In this Issue

	Cross border Directive Grinds to a Halt
	New UK Transport Act Gives DVLA Power to Share Foreign Vehicle Data
	Urban Mobility Action Plan Next Opportunity for SPARKS
	SPARKS Network Growing
	About SPARKS
	Legal Disclaimer
	Data Privacy
	Feedback

In Other News

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Welcome to the December edition of the SPARKS Programme online newsletter, which highlights issues impacting enforcement of penalty charge notices in the UK and other EU member states. We hope you find the contents interesting and useful to you in your job.

Cross border Directive Grinds to a Halt

Deadlock during the Transport Council debate on 9 December has effectively stalled the proposed cross border road safety directive.

In contrast the European Parliament has adopted a resolution in favour of the directive.

SPARKS now does not expect this legislation to be agreed by the European Parliament and the Council until some months after parliamentary elections in June 2009.

Comment on the Transport Council debate on 9 December

Comment on the European Parliament plenary vote on 16 December

New UK Transport Act Gives DVLA Power to Share Foreign Vehicle Data

The long awaited Local Transport Act 2008 has received royal assent, enabling the UK’s DVLA to receive keeper and vehicle data from foreign registration agencies.

DVLA is now able to share this data with UK organisations such as local authorities and the police, as well as others who can show ‘reasonable cause’.

SPARKS Network members are looking forward to working with DVLA and its equivalents in other member states to facilitate effective sharing of foreign registered vehicle data.

Comment on the Local Transport Act 2008

Urban Mobility Action Plan Next Opportunity for SPARKS

The Urban Mobility action plan, due to be published very soon by the EU, is another opportunity to improve cross border enforcement of traffic penalties.

In an interview with the magazine EU Reporter SPARKS programme manager Bill Blakemore said that SPARKS Network members are appealing to their governments to create unified EU legislation.

Even if progress stalls on the Road Safety Directive on cross-border enforcement, SPARKS will continue to campaign for cross border enforcement to stay on the EU agenda via enforcement of Green Zones.

EU Reporter article Wanted: EU Traffic Law

SPARKS Network Growing

European and UK organisations representing a cross section of the traffic enforcement industry are joining the SPARKS Network – launched in November.

They include four of London’s local authorities, a government agency from the Republic of Ireland, Antwerp City Council, Transport for London, London Councils, the Metropolitan Police and the European Parking Association, as well as commercial suppliers to the parking industry.

To date 16 organisations have joined the network, with another 15 actively considering joining. The network is open to public bodies, not for profit groups, and private sector organisations within the EU that are interested in traffic enforcement.

Members will be participating in a range of activities including site visits, conferences and seminars, and sharing best practice with other members. Members will also be invited to contact their own governments in order to make the case for better cross-border enforcement.

For more information on the SPARKS Network including how to become a member click here

About SPARKS

SPARKS is an initiative that enables local authorities in the UK and EU member states to collaborate in resolving the issue of cross-border enforcement of traffic contraventions.

Our objective is for traffic enforcement to be equally effective against all vehicles irrespective of nationality. Aims include identifying legislative solutions, increasing awareness of the issues within government, working with local authorities to seek common solutions and gathering data to build a coherent picture of the size and impact of the issue.

Find out more about SPARKS

Legal Disclaimer

SPARKS works hard to ensure that information on our websites are up-to-date and accurate and that applications function correctly.

Our terms and conditions

Data Privacy

SPARKS will treat any personal information that you provide to us in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998.

We will not share any of your personal information with third parties unless it is in response to a lawful request for information such as a court order, witness summons, or complaint from a government authority. Your personal information will also not be sold to third parties.

Privacy policy

Feedback

We welcome your views on this ezine, which should be addressed to the editor Jo Ann Sweeney at jo.ann@sweeneyuk.com