Filenews 21 June 2024 - by Ioanna Kyriakou
Parliament is proceeding with the reduction of extrajudicial fines resulting from fixed traffic cameras and related to the violation of red lights, based on a law voted in Thursday's plenary. This bill, which was submitted by MP Marinos Mousiouttas, provides for the gradation and modulation of the amount of the fine, depending on the stopping point of the vehicle.
Speaking to philenews, Green Movement MP and member of the Transport Committee, Stavros Papadouris, clarified that the correction was deemed necessary because in some cases the amount of the fine is disproportionate based on the misconduct. "There's a big difference to cross with a red light that can cause a fatal accident and quite another to cross the crosswalk line a bit."
He explained that based on the law passed, traffic cameras will recognize three violations of red lights:
- In case of a stop after the first line, a fine of €25 will be imposed
- In case of a stop at the pedestrian crossing, there is an out-of-court fee of €85, instead of €300 currently in force
- In case of stopping beyond the pedestrian crossing or movement of the vehicle within the road junction during the traffic light is red, there is an out-of-court fee of €300.
At the same time, Papadouris clarified that these changes will not take effect immediately, as an approved amendment also grants time to the executive power to make the necessary changes to the software system of the cameras and will be implemented by decision of the Council of Ministers. This, he said, could take about six months and pointed out that this change will cost the state close to €1 to €1.5 million.
It is noted that there is no fine if a driver stops on the warning signs before the cameras, since these are purely warning and do not negate the road marking, as defined by the Road Traffic Code.
