Sparks Project

What We Do

The SPARKS Programme is an initiative that enables local authorities in the UK and EU member states to collaborate as they seek to resolve issues concerning cross-border enforcement of civil traffic contraventions.

Organisations involved in SPARKS believe that vehicle owners who break national civil and criminal traffic laws should be treated equally, no matter their citizenship or where their vehicle is registered.

The SPARKS Programme is calling on the government to improve its measurement of the numbers of foreign registered vehicles so the issues can be better quantified and given the political attention they deserve.

SPARKS also wants changes in legislation so local authorities can access overseas driver and vehicle registration data, and can enforce, in other member states, civil financial penalties issued in the UK.

Without these changes enforcement issues could undermine the success of schemes such as road user charging, electronic toll roads, low emission zones, congestion charging and the Olympic Route Network.

Our Aims

The SPARKS Programme wants the civil enforcement of traffic regulations to be equally effective against all vehicles irrespective of nationality. Our aims include:
  • Identifying legislative solutions to the key issues - data sharing and recognition of UK civil financial penalties in other jurisdictions
  • Increasing awareness of cross-border enforcement issues in the UK and European parliaments and gaining the support of MPs and MEPs
  • Working with foreign licensing agencies to seek common solutions
  • Gathering data and information from across the UK to build a coherent picture of the size of the issue and its impact on the UK economy.

Facts & Figures

  • FRVs are 30% more likely to be involved in an accident than a UK registered vehicle
  • FRVs are 20% more likely to fail roadside tests
  • FRVs are twice as likely to avoid the congestion charge in London compared to UK registered vehicles
  • FRVs are more likely to be caught speeding and to contravene bus lane regulations in London
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