A BANDWAGON
The Cyprus traffic camera revolution, which has now extending its reach to the whole of the island, is now in full swing and the general feeling amongst most drivers is that it has led to heightened driver insecurity. This is supported by a recent study that has revealed that the rate of minor accidents on the island has risen by 1 in 5 since traffic camera revolution began, also enforcing most drivers views that the Cyprus Government has firmly jumped on to the traffic camera bandwagon to simply generate income. In spite of these reports, the government constantly maintains that the somewhat draconian measures in place are for road safety reasons.Â
RECORDED INCIDENTS
Fixed traffic cameras have now been installed at most main traffic light junctions all over the island and these cameras are mainly focused on speeding and traffic violations, which include illegal u-turns and red light violations. However, it seems that their effect has become somewhat negated as there has been many recorded incidents of drivers slamming on their brakes or driving erratically when trying to avoid a fine for these violations. As a result it has now been established that these actions, that did not exist before the cameras were installed, have caused extended danger to all road users including pedestrians and cyclists. Several drivers have stated that they must now drive like this to avoid excessive fines for passing through a yellow signal or merely getting too close to a white traffic line.Â
ROAD SAFETY
Several accidents, recently reported, have involved otherwise safe drivers trying to negotiate stricter speed controls or stopping suddenly before the dreaded white traffic lines at junctions. This has become a main point of contention for many and this along with the fact that some drivers have been stopping at green lights in anticipation of being caught on a yellow signal has further compounded the risk of accidents occuring at these junctions. Most drivers have fully admitted that they would rather drive this way and risk a non-fault accident rather than pay Cyprus traffic camera fines of up to €300.Â
EXTRA REVENUE
With the cameras now fully in place, there are many observers with mixed feelings amongst about traffic cameras and questions are now being raised about 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
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THE HIGHWAYSÂ
The highways continue to be monitored with mobile camera vans that can now check speeds of cars travelling in both directions. These vans are situated at various locations all over the island. 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
Government officials are looking into ways of improving the system to reduce the backlog of unpaid and contested fines. The traffic management company along with the police have also noted that there is no formal appeal process in place for drivers that wish to contest their fines. This means that drivers either have to pay their fine or attend court to argue their case. Several of these fines, after time consuming court cases, have been revoked allowing drivers to escape penalties through legitimate shortfalls in the traffic camera system. There are also several fines that have been issued, but have created a huge backlog at most post offices, and their late arrival has become another reason for drivers to contest them legally in court.
EXEMPTIONS &Â WARNINGSÂ
Authorities have begun to recognise some of the legitimate shortfalls in the traffic camera system, that has allowed drivers to successfully contest their fines. Drivers have successsfully had fines revoked because of the lack of legal signage near cameras. They have successfully argued that this is a form of entrapment and as a direct response to this the work of painting horizontal warning signs on the road surface and installing proper vertical markings is now fully underway. This will mean that drivers will not be able to use ‘a lack of signage’, arguement any more as the new white and yellow camera warning signs have also been painted on the road surface on approach to junctions that have cameras are fully visable. Drivers have stated however, that this has helped level the playing field with drivers now receiving ample warning of approaching traffic cameras. Other proposals currently underway, to ease the backlog of traffic fines, are to exempt driving schools from fines and increase the penalty points threshold from 12 to 20, making it harder for drivers to lose a driving license through a driving ban.Â
VANDALISM
In addition to the bad sentiment that the cameras have created amongst drivers, the new traffic controlling regime has also contributed to a rise in vandalism. Witnesses have stated that they have seen groups of hooded vandals not only destroying cameras, but also climbing up them and spray painting over traffic camera lenses. Â
DASHCAM FOOTAGEÂ
The rate of successful court appeals by drivers against fines remains high and on many occasions, drivers have successfully supplied evidence in the form of footage from dash cams proving this. Several drivers have successfully proved that some of the mobile vans have recorded alledged violations whilst hidden from view and some of the cases heard also proved that some of the automatic cameras were defective. In response, authorities have now implemented tighter regulations to bolster camera legitimacy, but the mobile van operators, who are civilian third-party contractors are still being found wanting. Government authorities are also now actively trying to hurry through legislation trying and ban dash cam footage as legitimate evidence in a court of law. Drivers on the other hand, are installing Waze a GPS navigation smartphone application that reveals traffic camera locations in Cyprus. 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. Â
STOP LINE & GREEN ARROW TURN VIOLATIONS
The white stop line and green arrow turn violations threshold has been adjusted yet again following further complaints and 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 and there have been cases where it has been argued that drivers turning right had no choice but to pass through red lights after securing a green light, due to oncoming traffic. Footage from traffic cameras showing mobile phone use and seat belt violations are also going to be used to issue fixed penalty fines and driving license points.
WHAT DO TRAFFIC CAMERAS ISSUE FINES 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!
It is remarkable, very valuable information
Thank you for your articles. I find them very helpful. Could you help me with something?
We all knew this was for income generation and not safety. As for ‘black spots’ I see these white vans commonly parking on roads that I frequent and have never seen an accident on in 17 years so they just go where they can catch most. Also these cameras don’t catch the really bad drivers who commit Careless driving and Dangerous driving violations. Also the motor cyclists that have big bikes so no insurance and for good measure no number plate so getting away scot free as usual. I have no points on my license and drive sensibly but now I spend more time looking for cameras rather than driving safely
hence the big rise in accidents.