EUROPE-WIDE DRIVING LAWS URGED

Restrictions can vary widely across the continent causing confusion among drivers and enabling some to use ignorance as a defence, they said.

Some European states operate a zero tolerance approach to mixing alcohol and driving while others enforce various blood-alcohol limits.

As for speeding, Germany is renowned among drivers worldwide for its limit free autobahns, while similar roads in other countries may limit motorists to 50mph.

Eddy Greif, of the European Traffic Police Network (Tispol), will tell a meeting of officers from 25 European countries in London that change will bring more lawbreakers to justice.

Mr Grief said: "I do not believe that drinking alcohol and driving is less dangerous in the United Kingdom than in other parts of the European Union. And I am very sceptical that a driver has more chance to survive a high speed crash on a German motorway than on similar well built roads in other member states.

"It would certainly help drivers to know that traffic regulations applied all over Europe are the same, it is the first condition they must comply with. They would not be able to hide behind ignorance anymore when caught by the police."

The meeting will also hear calls for cross-continent rallies, such as the recent Gumball featuring expensive sports cars, to be banned. An elderly Macedonian couple died this month when their Volkswagen car was involved in a collision with a Porsche competing in the rally.

The driver, Nicholas Morley, 30, of Cheshire, was charged with dangerous driving after being arrested while allegedly trying to leave the country by private jet.

Mr Greif said: "The roads of Europe are not a playground for the rich and reckless. These rallies pose a considerable danger to other road users who deserve our protection."