Pafos Press 12 August 2024
The photo-marking system on the roads of Cyprus has entered dynamically into the daily life of the citizens, with the flashes of the cameras turning on non-stop, handing out fines to the drivers who do not comply with the Road Traffic Code.
From the beginning of the year until today, 155,350 extra-judicial tickets have been issued all over Cyprus, with the most frequent offense being the violation of the speed limit. In particular, 99,636 violations of the speed limit were recorded until now. 33,945 fines were issued for violating the red traffic light, while 20,413 violations occurred for violating the white line.
At the same time, the cameras photographed 1,087 people driving with their hands not free, of which 884 for using a mobile phone and 203 for using a cigarette or other object.
Regarding the failure to use a protective helmet, 91 cases were identified, while for the non-use of the safety belt, 178 cases were settled out of court.
It is recalled that for the last three cases, another violation must precede, so that the traffic camera is already activated.
System will "fight" them at the airport
The software system is just around the corner, which when checking citizens' data will detect if there are pending fines from the traffic cameras. The 'Photorandar List' will be installed at airports, ports, roadblocks and police stations. In this way, it will be possible to issue an extrajudicial fine or a letter that criminal prosecution is imminent.
The system will come into effect after the fine is not paid and the warning notice informing the citizen that criminal charges will be brought against him fails.
According to information from "S", the application of the system software is for approval at the Central Committee for Changes and Claims, which is under the General Accounting Office of the Republic. The purpose is to evaluate the final cost for its implementation.
So when the final cost is assessed and it is decided that a fund can be made available, the technical procedures will follow, which will last a few months.
It is recalled that the intention of the Police was to put it into operation before the start of the summer season, but in the end it has not yet been approved.
The outstandings
There are three devices, which have not yet been activated in Limassol. These are the last of the 90 in the second phase of the photo-marking program. Specifically, they have been installed at the junction of Agia Fylaxeos Street and Spyrou Kyprianou Street.
As "S" is informed, their installation work has been completed and as soon as they are suitable from a technical point of view, after the completion of the pilot phase, then the Police will announce to the public the start of their operation.
At the same time, two cameras are expected to be removed from Nicosia, after it was judged that they do not contribute to road safety, to be placed at the intersection where the quadruple fatality occurred in Polemidia, on New Year's Day.
Specifically, one will be removed from the junction of Makariou with Griva Digeni and Spyros Kyprianou and the second from the intersection of Strovolos Avenue and Machira Street.
At these points, the rest of the cameras will continue to work normally.
The proposals that are on the table
Several legislative proposals have been put on the table recently for the photo-marking system. Specifically, a total of nine law proposals were submitted by MPs, with the Road Safety Council disagreeing with seven.
The first proposal of the law concerned the non-prosecution of learner drivers, for specific offences, with the Road Safety Council reporting that this proposal is against the principle of equality.
He also disagrees with the two proposals to repay the fines in instalments with specific criteria, as their monitoring is impossible.
He also opposes two proposals by MPs to install timers on traffic lights, citing a study that shows that the effectiveness of the measure is unclear.
At the same time, he ruled unconstitutional the proposal to increase the penalty points for driving license deprivation, from twelve to twenty.
Regarding the proposal to suspend penalty points for offenses until May 31, 2024, with retroactive effect from January 1, he emphasized that this is not feasible, as it creates unequal treatment of offenders and raises questions of unconstitutionality.
However, he gave a positive answer on the issue of extending the time for repayment of fines.
In particular, he sees with a positive eye the extension of the extra-judicial fine repayment margin from 30 to 60 days, which will be adopted for all traffic violations.
He also agrees with the proposal to extend the period for prosecuting offenders who have not paid extrajudicial fines, from 45 to 90 days.
However, he disagrees with granting a discount in case of repayment within 30 days as, as he states, it would correspond to a complete alteration of the deterrent nature of the penalties.
According to a competent source, the implementation of the law passed by the Parliament to reduce the fine for violating the second white line from 300 to 85 euros, is expected to be delayed for some months. This is because the extra cost has to be approved by the central changes and requirements committee and then the software at the intersections where there are cameras has to be fixed.
The only thing that is certain is that the implementation of the light marking system has caused a variety of reactions, with many drivers expressing their dissatisfaction with the exorbitant fines, considering them destructive. The system needs optimization, since, instead of aiming at prevention and cultivating road awareness, it has turned into a tax collection measure that aims to trap citizens.
Published in Simerini newspaper (11/08/24)
