A CAMERA BANDWAGON
The Cyprus traffic camera revolution has extended its reach across the whole of the island. Most drivers, however, have gone on record stating that these cameras have led to heightened driver insecurity. Supported by recent figures, the rate of minor accidents on the island has risen by 1 in 5. This also enforces the general view that the Cyprus authorities have firmly jumped on to the traffic camera bandwagon to generate income. Authorities, on the other hand, constantly maintain that the somewhat draconian measures in place are solely for road safety reasons.
RECORDED INCIDENTS
Fixed traffic cameras have now been installed at most main traffic light junctions all over the island. These cameras record different traffic violations. These include, speeding, illegal u-turns and red light violations. It seems, however, that their effect has become somewhat negated. Drivers have been known to suddenly slam on their brakes or stop at green lights in anticipation of an amber light. This somewhat erratic driving has caused extended danger to all road users including pedestrians and cyclists. Several drivers maintain they must now drive like this to avoid the excessive fines for passing through an amber signal or merely getting too close to a white traffic line.Â
THE HIGHWAYSÂ
The highways continue to be monitored with mobile camera vans. These vans tend to be situated at different locations all over the island. They can also check speeds of cars travelling in both directions. The two-way technology however, has been brought in to question on roads where there is a dividing rail, parapet or island with greenery, that obviously obstructes the view of the camera.
CONTESTING FINES
Authorities are constantly looking into ways of reducing the backlog of unpaid and contested fines. It has been acknowledged that part of the problem is that there is no formal appeal process in place. Drivers who wish to contest their fines have to attend court to argue their case. This has been a bitter pill to swallow for authorities, as several traffic fines, after lengthy court cases, have been revoked. This process has proved not only costly but time consuming. Several drivers have escaped penalties using the legitimate shortfalls in the traffic camera system. In addition to this, a huge backlog of post has resulted in the late arrival of fines. This has become another valid reason for drivers to legally contest traffic camera fines in court.Â
NEW PROPOSALSÂ
There are also a series of new proposals currently underway. It is thought that exempting driving schools from traffic violations will help to ease the mounting backlog of traffic fines. Another is increasing the penalty points threshold from 12 to 20, making it harder for professional drivers to recieve a driving ban.
STOP LINE & GREEN ARROW TURN VIOLATIONS
The white stop line and green arrow turn violations threshold has been adjusted yet again. This follows after several fines have been revoked in court. There is now a longer grace period given for drivers to move out of the violation zone once the lights change. It has been suggested however, that drivers are still being unfairly fined for being stuck in the violation zone. Drivers, once securing a green light, have no choice but to pass through red lights due to oncoming traffic. This has resulted in several drivers stopping behing the white line at a green light when turning right and then waiting for the green light filter to turn right. Footage from traffic cameras showing mobile phone use and seat belt violations are also being used to issue fixed penalty fines and driving license points.Â
ROAD SAFETY
Several minor accidents have also involved otherwise safe drivers. This has become a main point of contention for most drivers trying to negotiate stricter road controls. Several drivers have fully admitted that they would rather risk a non-fault accident rather than add points to their licenses and pay traffic camera fines of up to €300 each time.Â
A FAIR PLAYING FIELDÂ
Authorities have begun to recognise some of the legitimate shortfalls in the current traffic camera system. These shortfalls have allowed drivers to successfully contest their fines in court. Several drivers have stated for example that they did not receive ample warning of approaching traffic cameras. They have successfully arguing that the lack of proper signage is complicit to creating an environment conducive to entrapment. Others have also successfully had fines revoked due to several other frailties in the system. As a direct response. authorities have overseen the painting of several white and yellow camera warnings on the road surface. These are now in place on approach to jmost unctions that have traffic cameras. They have also installed proper vertical signage in most locations where traffic cameras now exist.Â
DASHCAM FOOTAGEÂ
The rate of successful court appeals by drivers against fines remains high. Drivers, on several occassions, have successfully supplied evidence in the form of footage from dash cams. This footage has proved that some of the mobile traffic camera vans, which are operated by civilian third-party contractors, have recorded alleged violations whilst hidden from view. In some cases heard, the footage has also been used to prove that some of the static traffic light cameras were defective. Authorities, in response have now implemented tighter regulations to bolster camera legitimacy. Authorities are also now actively trying to hurry through legislation trying to ban dashcam footage as legitimate evidence in a court of law. WAZE, a GPS navigation smartphone application that reveals traffic camera locations in Cyprus has also become a handy tool for drivers on the island. Whilst this is not illegal, using a mobile device whilst driving is and many drivers believe that the recent clampdown on mobile phone usage is directly attributed to WAZE usage.
EXTRA REVENUE
With traffic cameras now fully in place, there are many observers with mixed feelings. Questions are now being raised as to whether they have made the roads safer or more dangerous. Questions have also arisen as to where the revenue generated by these excessive fines ends up.Â
VANDALISM
The general bad sentiment toward cameras has also contributed to a rise in vandalism. Witnesses have stated that they have seen groups of hooded vandals destroying cameras. These individuals have also, on several occasions scaled traffic cameras, spray painting over their lenses. Â
WHAT DO TRAFFIC CAMERAS ISSUE FINE FOR?
Cameras monitor nearly all traffic violations and they capture the following
Speeding violations Red light violations Stop line violations Seatbelts violations Motorcycle helmet violations Using mobile phones or other devices while driving
There is no appeals process in place and each violation recorded by a camera incurs a fine that can only be contested in a Cyprus court of law!
A new online ‘fine checking system’ has been launched and police are urging the public to use it to check for any traffic violations recorded against them. Police have also stated that any outstanding fines should be settled before a March 31st deadline. This out-of-court settlement process aims to facilitate the Cypriot legal system by giving vehicle owners the option to avoid a court case, but it is still stressed that any unsettled fines after this date will lead to criminal prosecution.Â
The new website contains a database of all fines recorded by traffic cameras for violations that occurred between January 1st, 2022 and September 30th, 2024. Vehicle registration details and some personal information are needed to conduct a search. This will reveal any unpaid pending fines. Payment can then be made online directly through the Police website.Â
Vehicle owners that were not driving at the time of any recorded violations are able to electronically register the ‘actual driver’ of the vehicle at the time of the violation using the new system.
Traffic Camera Enquiries Tel: 80 008 009
Click here to check for any unpaid pending finesÂ
Click here to pay any outstanding pending finesÂ
A BACKLOG OF FINES
As the controversy surrounding Cyprus traffic cameras rumbles on, more than 100 island wide traffic cameras continue to record several violations daily. The non-payment of several of these fines has created a huge backlog of unpaid traffic camera fines. AS a result of this, police, looking to clear this backlog, have began issuing warnings to drivers. Police have stated that legal proceedings are set to begin after March 31st for those who have still failed to settle their fines.
AN INCREASE IN ONLINE PAYMENTS
The announcement of this deadline has forced a scramble by drivers rushing to try and settle fines. Several are using the recently introduced online payment system. Online payments account for approximately 1,000 payments a day, but since the announcement, the figure has risen to an estimated 5,000. This has placed a considerable strain on the system, which is struggling to cope with the surge in demand.Â
A SERIES OF STRICTER MEASURES
Although the majority of fined drivers seem to be complying, there are several others that remain defiant. These drivers claim that they intend to use their day in court to raise several issues that still surround fairness and transparency for all involved. They also state that the legal complications surrounding the issue of these fines, remain a point of controversy and that they fully intend to challenge each fine seperately in court. Several implications surrounding the enforcement of these fines has also created issues. Many drivers still claim that they have not personally received their notices. They state that because of this, they believe that their fines have not been served properly. In response, authorities have indicated that the new initiative, that allows individuals to check for unpaid fines via a website, provides a way for these people to check if they have been fined. If this new approach legally stands up, then it means that the onus is now firmly on drivers to check whether they have been fined or not. Those who may have missed or never received their notifications, now have the opportunity to settle their fines using the new system ahead of the March deadline.
