Member states can now exchange data on motoring offences, to track down guilty drivers. So if a French camera catches a Spanish motorist speeding, that driver will still have to pay a fine in Spain - provided the driver is the owner of the vehicle.

Even before the EU directive came along, France had adopted such cross-border arrangements with Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland, which is not in the EU.

However, the UK, Republic of Ireland and Denmark have opted out of the EU directive.

The British aren't targets in France. They just have to pay on the spot, if they are caught, whilst most others will receive a surprise envelope on the doorstep, when they get home.

Exactly

So by virtue of us opting out they have made us a target to keep every one treated as equally as possible.