in-cyprus 12 May 2020 -Josephine Koumettou
A bill that aims to put an end to non-payment of traffic fines to ‘Z’ cars often rented by tourists is being reviewed by the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos has told Phileleftheros.
Karousos said that there are around 25,000 unpaid fines for violations committed by tourists in Z vehicles, including cars, motorcycles and buggies.
The issue has been on the parliament’s agenda since 2017 when MP George Karoullas had submitted in May of that year a relevant bill, likely put together in collaboration with the then Ayia Napa mayor and current Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos.
In December 2019, then newly appointed transport Minister Yiannis Karousos had said that his Ministry’s proposal would involve the requirement for a deposit of €300-€500 for visitors who rent cars in Cyprus as a guarantee to ensure the payment of out of court traffic fines.
In the update published today by Phileleftheros, Karousos said that often tourists are not even booked by police as it is generally believed that there is no point because in many cases fines are not settled.
“Our bill aims among other to put an end to this message transmitted to tourists. The responsibility for holding liable those renting a ‘Z’ car and then get fined will be shared with vehicle rental companies.
“Each company will need to ensure that their customer will pay the fine, for example by withholding an amount on her credit card for a certain period of time like many rental companies do for damages to the vehicle. The new bill stipulates that if the fine doesn’t get paid, the responsibility is transferred to the one who rented out the vehicle,” Karousos noted.
