New European driving licence will reduce car accidents and improve country security

European parliament has approved the prototype for a European driving licence to replace the wide variety of licences currently being used across the EU and government officials believe this may also reduce the number of car accidents.

The licence will be the same size as a credit card, personalised with a photograph and microchip, and there are plans to introduce it by 2013.

The idea behind the licence is to prevent people disqualified in one country from getting a licence in another, thereby improving "country security" while reducing the EU total of car accidents. It will also theoretically prevent reckless drivers being allowed to drive in another country if they have too many points on their UK licence.

EU loophole lets people get a licence from other European countries
At the moment, it's possible to get an EU driving licence without any endorsements - effectively wiping the slate clean - if you are disqualified in the UK. This is due to EU loopholes which allow UK nationals to apply for licences in other countries if they simply say they've 'lost' their licence.

The term being bandied around the motor industry for this phenomenon is "driving licence tourism". You are not legally allowed to drive in the UK with an EU licence from another country, but you can drive in another European country.

Three hundred million drivers in the EU currently use 110 different paper and plastic licences. Although the proposals are meant to improve road traffic security, human rights groups say that it is just another "revenue-generating exercise" that will affect people who need cars most - like single mothers taking their children to school - but won't reduce car accidents at all.

Car accident compensation claim
People are becoming subject to more and more time pressure and employers are becoming less willing to accept any form of excuse about lateness for jobs and contracts, causing people to drive faster and faster.

Drivers who normally have excellent road skills may find that they become less vigilant than usual and also become less aware of the behaviour of other drivers on the road and have less time to react in the event of a car accident.

The good news is that if you have been involved in a non-fault accident, you may be entitled to car accident compensation. Car Accident Advice Line can give you expert free legal advice from our highly qualified team of personal injury advisors.

So why not give us a call now on 0808 143 43 42 or request a call back via our online form to find out whether you are eligible to make a car accident claim.