Filenews 30 May 2023
End of the grace period for drivers since in a week, i.e. next Tuesday 6 June, the new cameras will be put into normal operation that will control four fixed points, two in Nicosia and two in Limassol.
The relevant checks of the system by the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services took place yesterday and it seems that everything is running smoothly, which is why the green light was given to officially turn on the flashes from the new cameras. With the operation of the cameras at the four new points, the first phase of the photo-labelling system is completed, which included the operation of cameras in a total of six points. Already for Phase A, two cameras have been put into normal operation on Limassol Avenue with its junction with Armenias Street and four cameras on Griva Digeni Avenue with its junction with Prodromou Avenue.
The new cameras that will operate immediately after the day of the Deluge will concern the following locations in Nicosia:
Makarios Avenue at its junction with Kyprianou Spyrou Avenue and Digeni Akrita Avenue (Lycabettus lights) – three cameras.
Strovolos Avenue at its junction with Machaira Street (next to Pepsi Kola) – three cameras.
In Limassol the following two points have been installed and will operate:
Makarios Avenue at the intersection with Nikos Pattichi Avenue (four cameras).
At the intersection of Archbishop Makarios and Agia Zoni Avenues (four cameras).
The Police, as the assistant director of the Traffic Department at the Police Headquarters, Haris Evripidou, told "F", before the new cameras are put into normal operation, will issue an announcement (probably today) informing drivers about the incident so that they are informed.
It is noted that with the operation of the four points the fixed cameras will rise to 24. At the same time, 12 mobile cameras are currently in operation, while soon they will increase to 20, which is the final number. According to the contract, the contractor will have to install and deliver another 66 cameras at fixed points that will cover all cities of Cyprus by the end of the year, except for the area of free Famagusta, which will be covered only by mobile cameras. With the completion of the second and final phase, 90 cameras will operate at fixed points and 20 mobile ones.
In the meantime, some of the initial points chosen for the installation of fixed cameras have been differentiated, either due to changes in the road network or due to re-evaluation. Specifically, in Nicosia, no cameras will be installed despite the Good Afternoon lights at the entrance of the capital, since according to the plans of the Department of Public Works they will be abolished and replaced with the creation of a large interchange nearby. Also, no cameras will be installed on Joseph Hadjiiosif Avenue with Konstantinoupoleos Avenue (despite the Water Supply tank) due to technical problems. The installation of cameras at the junction of the lights of Archangelos and Makedonitissis Avenue (K Cineplex lights) is currently being studied.
Also, according to Mr. Evripidou, the selection of the three fixed points that were selected for the installation of cameras on the road network of the province of Morphou is canceled, due to the reconstruction of the motorway with four lanes and which will be controlled by mobile cameras. In Limassol, adjustments will be made at some points that have not yet been decided, however, it is most likely that fixed cameras will be installed on the Limassol bypass from the hospital to the new port.
Loopholes bring changes to the law
The changes promoted in relation to the law on the photo-labelling system have been put to public consultation, so that the relevant bill will be submitted to Parliament after the summer recess.
According to the Assistant Director of Traffic Police, a change in the legislation is being promoted so that the offender driver is also informed via sms on his mobile phone instead of only through Mail, and this is because it has been observed that many do not go to pick it up. It will also change legislation to oblige companies to indicate the driver of their vehicle reported by the cameras.
Another amendment that emerged recently concerns the criminalization of blocking mobile cameras. Drivers park their vehicle behind the van with cameras preventing them from recording traffic violations.
Also, all procedures have been completed and the first cases concerning failure to pay the extrajudicial fine by drivers who complained are ready for registration in Court. The procedure for the transmission by the managing company of the data of the offending drivers to the Police has been locked and thus a relevant file will be prepared for registration in the Court.
