Today gives us the opportunity to hear about innovative solutions to road safety problems from Australia, the US, the UK and Europe

Environment Minister Sam Foster

He said: "We all face a major global problem, with 3,000 people per day being killed on the world's roads and over 40,000 people per year losing their lives within the European Union.

"Today gives us the opportunity to hear about innovative solutions to road safety problems from Australia, the US, the UK and Europe. Together we can make a difference."

The two-day conference has been organised by Tispol, the European traffic police network.

Delegates will hear information on controversial issues surrounding traffic policing.

These include the latest on drug testing drivers, whether speed cameras infringe civil liberties or save lives and the possibility of pan-European traffic laws and cross-border licence endorsements.

Cross-border initiatives

A joint presentation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Irish Garda Siochana will outline the increasing co-operation across European borders in police in detecting traffic violations.

Pointing to the close links forged by the two forces, RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan said: "On two occasions now we have linked up on cross border initiatives: in the areas of drink driving and the wearing of seatbelts."

Tispol's director general Peter Meulen said road carnage now overshadowed every other major social concern in Europe.

"We owe it to our children to stop these dreadful killings - thousands will die as young drivers unless we bring about major changes in how we all treat safety on the roads," he said.

"The prize for these efforts will be saving tens of thousands of lives."