Shock figures show thousands of foreign drivers dodge fines

The figures showed that 2629 speeding motorists were caught by fixed cameras on the A1 between December 2004 and January this year - 777 of whom were foreign nationals.

In the same period, cameras on the A68 also caught 148 offenders, including 42 foreign nationals.

But the majority of foreign drivers are getting away with the offence as police are unable to trace them when they are caught on camera.

Today, politicians and road safety campaigners said the figures highlighted the need for laws to be changed.

An SNP justice spokesman said it was unfair that foreign motorists are getting off when Scottish drivers are forced to pay the penalties. He said: "When the DVLA receives details of these foreign number plates, they don’t know who to prosecute. They have no way of tracing these people so the fine just gets written off.

"It is a danger for our drivers and it undermines the powers of authorities to improve safety. We need some method to ensure that if they break the law here, they will pay the penalty here."

Brian Swanson, of the Lothian and Borders Camera Safety Partnership, said the latest figures were compiled during December 2004 and January this year.

"The speeders were caught by various fixed cameras on the two roads over a two-month period. It is true that the majority of foreign motorists will never be traced and will get away without paying the fine. This is a problem which gets worse in the summer when there are more tourists in Scotland."

Mr Swanson said that in France, UK residents caught speeding have to pay an on-the-spot fine before they can continue driving.

"This would be one solution to the problem. Another would be to fine these people before they leave the country," he added.

Neil Greig, head of policy for AA Motoring Trust Scotland, said: "It is unfair that foreign motorists should get off paying fines, especially when UK residents have to pay fines when they are abroad."

A spokesman for the DVLA said the problem was UK-wide and that police are responsible for the enforcement of minor road traffic offences. "If the vehicle involved is registered with the DVLA [ie British] the name and address of the vehicle keeper is made available to the police. This allows normal enforcement action to take place," he said.

"In the case of an overseas registered vehicle this information is not accessible. The Department of Transport is sponsoring a clause in the Road Safety Bill whereby the driver of an overseas vehicle, at the moment HGV drivers only, will be required to pay a deposit equal to the highest penalty that may be awarded for the offence committed. If the driver attends court, any difference, or the whole amount, would be returned.

"However, the problem is not unique to the UK. Many other [EU] states are also frustrated by the same problem.

"To this end, EU member states are looking into the issue of cross-border sharing of information between registration authorities."

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "If foreign drivers are caught by officers using hand-held devices then we have the option of putting that person to court within a few days before they leave the country."