Rules for sharing information on traffic offences committed by drivers of foreign vehicles will apply to all EU countries from 2017.

The extension of the existing rules to include the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark is the main change brought about by the new cross-border enforcement directive adopted by Transport ministers in March.

The vote followed a preliminary deal reached with the European Parliament in December and a parliament plenary vote on February 11. Member states have had to incorporate it into their national laws by May 6, 2015.

Half a million speeding tickets a year are issued to speeding British motorists in France, but have so far been unpaid, according to figures reported in Le Parisien.

Following the deal on the new cross-border enforcement directive, this situation will end in 2017 when the UK starts to apply the rules on exchange of information.