THE CYPRUS TRAFFIC CAMERA REVOLUTION

A CAMERA BANDWAGON

The Cyprus traffic camera revolution has firmly extended its reach across the whole of the island. This has helped to enforce the general view that Cyprus authorities have firmly jumped onto the traffic camera bandwagon to simply generate income. Cyprus authorities, on the other hand, constantly maintain that the somewhat draconian measures in place are solely for maintaining road safety and not for generating extra income.

INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS

Many observers have mixed feelings about traffic cameras and the excessive fines that result from them. The debate rages on as to whether cameras have made the roads safer or more dangerous. Several independent groups are also challenging authorities by requesting transparency. They are also demanding to see where the revenue generated by these fines ends up.

HEIGHTENED DRIVER INSECURITY

Several drivers have gone on record stating that the installation of traffic cameras has led to heightened driver insecurity. This view is supported by figures indicating that minor accidents have risen by 1 in 5 on the island since the introduction of traffic cameras. Several of these accidents have involved otherwise safe drivers and this has become a main point of contention for many trying to negotiate stricter road controls. Some drivers have fully admitting that they would rather risk a non-fault accident instead of adding points to their license and paying fines in excess of up to €300 each time.

RECORDED INCIDENTS

Fixed traffic cameras installed at most main traffic light junctions record several different traffic contraventions. 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. Many have stated that 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.

THE HIGHWAYS

The highways continue to be monitored with mobile camera vans. These vans tend to be situated at different locations at any one time. They employ the use of a new two-way technology that can check the speed of cars travelling in both directions. This technology, however, has been called into question several times. Some of the fines issued by these vans have been revoked because of obvious obstructions in roads. Drivers have successfully proved that the view of the camera was proven to be obscured making the fine null and void.

A FAIR PLAYING FIELD

Other legitimate shortfalls have also allowed drivers to successfully contest their fines in court. Some drivers have stated that they did not receive ample warning of an approaching traffic camera, successfully arguing that the lack of proper signage is complicit to creating an environment conducive to entrapment. Authorities in response have since overseen the painting of several white and yellow camera warnings on the road surface on approach to most junctions that have static traffic cameras. Proper vertical signage in most locations where traffic cameras now exist have also since been installed.

STOP LINE & GREEN ARROW TURN VIOLATIONS

The cancellation of several fines, due to drivers successfully arguing stop line and right-turn violations in court, has prompted authorities to make further adjustments to static cameras. This has resulted in 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 after the signal change. These drivers, initially securing a green light, have no choice but to pass through red lights due to oncoming traffic previously blocking their exit. This has resulted in several drivers stopping behind the white line at a green light signal when turning right and then waiting for the green right turn filter to turn right. Footage from traffic cameras showing mobile phone use and seat belt violations is also being used to issue fixed penalty fines and driving license points.

NEW PROPOSALS

A series of new proposals aimed at easing a mounting backlog of fines and sheilding professional drivers from driving bans are underway. One such proposal is the exemption of driving schools from traffic violations recorded by traffic cameras. Another is to increase the penalty points threshold from 12 to 16.

NEW COUNTDOWN TIMERS

The Cypriot House of Representatives recently passed a series of new legislations that mandates the installation of countdown timers at all traffic camera junctions. These timers will show the number of seconds left before a traffic light changes from green to amber and then to red. The proposed timers would be in place for both straight-ahead and right-turning traffic. The Ministry of Transport, however, has expressed opposition to these countdown timers. They claim that the timers would disrupt the functionality of smart traffic lights, forcing the government to send the proposed ‘timer’ law back to parliament for further review. If fully approved, authorities will be required to install timers at all traffic lights that have traffic cameras within six months of the law’s publication. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of all traffic light violation prosecutions until the timers are fully implemented.

NEW PAYMENT DEADLINES

The Cypriot Parliament recently approved several new provisions for traffic fines.

The new provisions include

The extension of the payment period from 30 to 90 days.

The 90 day payment period will begin from the day a fine is received, rather than from the date of issue.

After 90 days, unpaid fines will increase by 50%.

The extension of the criminal prosecution period for unpaid fines from 90 days to 105 days.

Penalty points for traffic violations will now expire two years after issue.

VANDALISM

The general bad sentiment toward traffic cameras has also contributed to a rise in vandalism. Hooded individuals have constantly destroyed cameras all over the island. They have also been seen on several occasions scaling traffic cameras and spray painted over their lenses.

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 BACKLOG OF FINES

More than 100 island wide traffic cameras continue to record several violations daily. The non-payment of several of the fines issued for these violations has created a huge backlog of unpaid fines. As a result of this, police are looking to clear this backlog and have begun issuing warnings of legal proceedings against drivers who have still failed to settle their fines.

AN INCREASE OF ONLINE PAYMENTS

Threats of further action have led to several drivers rushing to try and settle fines using a recently introduced online payment system. Online payments usually account for approximately 1,000 payments a day, but since the police announcement, this figure has risen to an estimated 5,000. This has placed a considerable strain on the new online payment system, but it has reduced some of the backlog.

A SERIES OF LEGAL COMPLICATIONS

Although the majority of fined drivers seem to be complying, several others remain defiant. These drivers claim that they intend to use their day in court to raise several issues that still surround the transparency for all involved. They also state that the legal complications surrounding the issue of such fines remains a point of controversy and that they fully intend to challenge each fine separately in court.

A SERIES OF STRICT MEASURES

Several implications surrounding the enforcement of these fines have also created issues. Several 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 maintain that drivers that may have missed or never received their notifications now have the opportunity to use the new online payment system. Drivers can use the system to check as well as settle their fines. This however is also being challenged legally! If this new approach legally stands up, then it will mean that the onus will firmly be on the individual to check whether they have been fined or not.

Police are urging the public to use a new online ‘out-of-court settlement fine checking system’ to check for any traffic violations recorded against them. This out-of-court settlement process aims to facilitate the Cypriot legal system by giving vehicle owners the option to avoid a court case. They advocate that any outstanding fines should be settled as soon as possible to avoid further action.

The new website contains a database of all fines recorded by traffic cameras for violations that occurred from January 1st, 2022, onwards. Vehicle registration details and some personal information are needed to conduct a search. Once the information is entered, any unpaid pending fines will be displayed. Payment of these fines can then be made online directly through the Police website.

HOW TO CHECK & PAY UNPAID TRAFFIC FINES

Click ‘Search for pending Citations’

Select a document type

– Passport

– Cyprus ID

– Company registration number

– ARC number (for foreign residents)

Enter the serial number of your selected document and your vehicle’s registration number.

Details on any outstanding fines, including their total number and the serial numbers of each issued fine, will then be displayed.

How to Pay a Fine?

Fines can be paid online through JCCsmart under the Cyprus Police section.

Any vehicle owners who were not driving at the time of 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 fines
Click here to pay any outstanding pending fines

NEW RULES FOR DRIVER PENALTY POINTS

New rules, brought in by new legislation regarding penalty points for traffic offences, are now in full effect. This comes after several professional drivers have experienced driving bans due to increased draconian traffic management measures across the island.

The increase in driving bans firmly lies at the feet of the new traffic camera system. This new system has seen a stark increase in drivers receiving points and fines throughout the island. The stricter measures have seen several drivers reach their points limit in a short space of time, rendering some professional drivers unable to work.

This has also created a shortfall of drivers willing to risk their license to do these jobs. This is mainly due to the increased exposure to traffic cameras whilst constantly on the road. This has also created a serious problem for firms that require drivers, with recruitment for this type of work down from previous years.

The reduction from three years to two for penalty points to expire and an increase in the threshold from 12 penalty points to 16 are expected to help alleviate the problem.

Bycyprustravellerguide.com