The EU should not set fines or determine prosecutions for lorry drivers.

Strasbourg 18 May 2010 - The European Conservatives and Reformists group today voted against a call from the European Parliament for the EU to harmonise penalties for lorry drivers who break rules on working time, rest periods and statutory working conditions.

ECR lead member on the report Philip Bradbourn MEP has argued that setting fines and penalties should remain a matter for national governments.

He said,

"It may be true that fines vary from country to country but national governments should determine the level at which a fine will act as a deterrent.

"Road fines may seem relatively innocuous; however the EU should not venture any further towards deciding the penalties that our judicial system should enforce. The parliament is sending out a worrying statement of intent."