MEPs vote on new rules to help identify foreign drivers caught breaking the rules and debate quotas which would bring more women into company boardrooms.

The News: Traffic offences - Boardroom quotas

The hunt for reckless drivers intensifies:

drivers who commit traffic offences  abroad will become easier to identify.

Women are still under-represented  in company boardrooms:

MEPs would like to introduce pink quotas.

And also in this edition, a round up  of today’s other news in pictures.

These dramatic images  still form a part of our daily life.

Nevertheless, the number of road deaths  in the EU is decreasing year after year.

In 2001, 54,400 people were killed on  the roads compared with 31,000 in 2010:

According to the Belgian police  an extra 500 lives per year could be saved

by going after drivers who commit traffic  offences outside their home country.

As information exchange between  EU police forces becomes more direct,

reckless drivers  will have to be more vigilant.

We can correctly identify the driver,  notify them of the penalty

and possibly, depending on the  procedures which remain up to the states,

This compulsory exchange of information  is a step forward,

but impunity could still remain the rule.

Penalties and proceedings across borders  will be carried out on a voluntary basis.

Prosecution can take place,  but it’s not binding like we had hoped,

because for example someone  who drives under the influence of alcohol,

and endangers other road users, should  be punished in one country like the next.

After the MEPs vote  during this July plenary,

these provisions should enter  into force in 2013 or 2014.

Sylvianne Portugaels  is a business woman but also a mother.

She's on the executive board of a Belgian  enterprise with over 1,500 employees.

Has being a woman and a mother  hindered her career development?

I have three children.  If I hadn’t been properly assisted

at the time of their birth  and in their early years,

for sure it could have posed difficulties  and I might have had to make choices.

I didn’t have to make them because  I could count on my parents and in-laws.

In Europe, women represent only 10%  of the directors of large companies.

To reverse the trend, the European  Commission has set ambitious objectives.

Women should make up 30% of  the boards of listed companies by 2015

The fact is, the more women there are  in decision-making positions,

It’s not only an ethical issue but  also a question of economic performance.

These quotas would not be binding even  though some MEPs support the idea.

I believe it is necessary to have,  even temporarily,

mandatory, progressive  and gradual quotas

It must be said that 60% of academic  degrees are obtained by women

While waiting for  the situation in Greece to stabilise,

Sanctions and controls are being  discussed to punish bad pupils, but:

the EP and the Council are still divided  over the economic governance six-pack.

The vote on the six reports could be  postponed barring a last minute change.

112 is the number to call  in an emergency in any EU country.

Even though only 26%  of EU citizens are aware of it,

MEPs are calling for a 116 number  to help citizens in emotional distress.

The report by Sylvana Rapti is presented  on Monday and voted on Tuesday.

LUX Prize 2011:  10 nominees shortlisted.

The fifth edition  of the EP cinema competition

includes films by Nanni Moretti,  Robert Guédiguian and Aki Kaurismäki.

The films give an insight  into the lives of Europeans.

Voted by MEPs, the winner  receives financial support

to subtitle the film  in the 23 EU languages.