UK drivers to face bans for offences in France?

British drivers who commit motoring offences in France could have penalty points added to their licences at home. Under plans revealed in Paris yesterday, drivers will receive points for speeding – and even parking – offences. It is reported today that “the French aim to have a deal with the British Government in place by July to catch the summer flood of British tourists”. It also suggests that British motorists are already treated more harshly than French ones; UK tourists “face £60 on-the-spot fines for minor offences while French drivers who commit similar offences here go home without punishment”. Home Secretary David Blunkett will now decide whether to go ahead with the plan; a spokesman for the Home Office said it was now considering the issue. France already has a similar arrangement in place with Switzerland and reportedly wants to extend the scheme to include Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Motoring organisations, perhaps unsurprisingly, have stated their opposition to the proposals.