TRAFFIC CAMERAS ACROSS THE WHOLE ISLAND
THE BANDWAGON
A recent study has revealed that the rate of minor accidents has actually risen by 1 in 5 since traffic cameras were introduced to the island. Now that the traffic camera system has extending its reach to the whole of the island, the general feeling amongst most drivers is that it has led to heightened driver insecurity. The recent study has enforced most drivers views, that the Cyprus Government has firmly jumped on to the traffic camera bandwagon to generate income and has not implemmented the somewhat draconian measures for road safety reasons. Some of the accidents reported have involved otherwise safe drivers trying to negotiate stricter speed controls or stopping in time before the dreaded white traffic line at junctions, which is a main point of contention for many. 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 risk of accidents occuring at junctions. Some drivers have stated that they would rather drive this way and risk a non fault accident rather than pay Cyprus traffic camera fines of up to €300.
RECORDED INCIDENTS
According to the Cyprus police and traffic authorities, fixed traffic cameras have been installed mainly at main traffic light junctions and known ‘black spots’ all over the island. These traffic cameras are focused on speeding and traffic violations, which include illegal u-turns and red light violations.
This has caused mixed feelings amongst the public 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. There have been many recorded incidents of drivers slamming on their brakes or driving erratically when trying to avoid such fines. These actions have caused extended danger to road users including pedestrians, cyclists, and other road vehicles. There is also concern about drivers passing through a yellow signal or receiving fines for merely getting too close to the white traffic line without passing a red light. The highways continue to be monitored with mobile camera vans that can now check speeds of cars travelling in both directions and these 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, obstructing 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. Several fines to be issued have also created a huge backlog at most post offices and their late arrival has become another point of contention for drivers looking to contest the fines in court. Some of the
proposals currently underway to ease the backlog 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.
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.
DASHCAM FOOTAGE
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.
STOP LINE & GREEN ARROW TURN VIOLATIONS
The white stop line and green arrow turn violations threshold has been adjusted yet again following complaints and there is now a longer grace period given for drivers to move out of the violation zone once the lights change, but drivers are still being fined even though they are not actually passing through any red lights. New white and yellow camera warning signs have also been painted on the road surface on approach to junctions that have cameras. as well as improved signage on most roads. Traffic camera footage showing mobile phone use and seat belt violations whilst driving 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!
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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.