He said - the French prosecuted the driver [for breaking EU rules whilst in the UK].
Not - the French prosecuted the driver [for breaking EU rules] whilst in the UK.
What?
Kindly explain the difference.
The first sentence means the French, in France, did the driver, in France, for exceeding EU rules whilst driving in the UK
The second is your ridiculous interpretation that the French, in UK, did the driver, in UK, for exceeding EU rules whilst driving in the UK.
No more ridiculous than suggesting the French prosecute a driver for breaking the French speed limit whilst driving in UK!
Current speed limit policies
A speed limit is based on both safety and mobility considerations and increasingly also on environmental considerations. The general framework for speed limits is the responsibility of the national government. Generally, local and regional road authorities determine the speed limit on a particular road. The current general speed limits vary across EU Member States.
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_...ed_limits/current_speed_limit_policies_en.htm
I do not know but perhaps some UK rules regarding driving hours, total hours or break times are less stringent than the EU rules.
All EU rules apply also in UK
So, ALL regulations are exactly the same throughout Europe are they?
Obviously not all, knowing you'll take it to the extreme. But all working directives apply reasonably equally across all EU member states. That includes HGV driving rules.
It would be nonsense to suggest that HGV drivers work to their own national rules even whilst driving in other member states.
Where a rule does not apply, it makes specific provision for not applying, e.g. VAT on food in UK.
There are UK and French rules that are not EU rules. But all EU rules are also UK and French rules!
Can you have both?
Of course, some French rules apply in France. Some UK rules apply in UK.
There you go, you've got it.
All EU rules apply both in UK and France!
Is that the case? Are there no dispensations to individual countries?
Again, you'll be taking it to the extreme, and I was talking working directives. Where dispensations apply, it will be specific. Certainly, one cannot expect to obey UK rules when driving in other member states, in contravention to the local rules. That would be nonsense.
You seem to have suddenly developed an idea of what FO was talking about. Despite your statement that you didn't know the facts of the example that he didn't provide.
I understood what he said, yes. I don't know if the facts are correct.
But you seem happy to accept those facts at face value in order to argue. Or do you have another agenda?
It seems to me you've again made an argument, with me, just for the sake of arguing with me!
That's because you have such a sanctimonious attitude toward everyone else yet still do not realise you are the most irritating here.
Isn't self-perception a wonderful thing. I'm happy being the most sanctimonious person here........and annoying the crap out of other sanctimonious people.
Perhaps you'll explain how EU rules are more stringent than UK rules,
They may not allow the drivers to work as long hours.
Then EU rules will apply, unless they have a specific dispensation, which can only apply in UK! It cannot apply to UK HGV drivers when driving in other member states!
Usually, if EU rules are more stringent, then they apply. However, local rules may be more stringent than EU rules.
This case would be no different than the case of Northampton police crushing a foreign registered vehicle because the insurance details was not on MIB. It later transpired that the insurance was applicable and appropriate. The police had to compensate the driver/owner of the crushed vehicle.
Or perhaps watching TV whilst driving? 
