Filenews 26 September 2020 – byMichalis Hatzivasilis
In addition to the increased penalties coming on 1 October, Traffic will have two more weapons at its disposal to track down illegal drivers on the roads in an effort to reduce accidents.
In the next few days it will receive ten new patrol cars with radar installed to detect speed offences, while in the control of drivers on motorways will be thrown all five conventional vehicles at the disposal of the Traffic Police. The advantage of the 10 patrol cars that will be given to the members of the Traffic Police is that they will be able to detect speed offences on the go. So far, radar checks have been carried out by a parked vehicle or by a police officer holding it in his hand. Now the new radars will allow traffic officers to carry out speed checks while they themselves are moving on motorways. This will give Traffic an advantage to surprise drivers who do not expect control from a police car that is either in front of them, behind them, or even at their side.
Until now, drivers knew that at certain points on motorways they were “setting up” radars so when they approached they lowered speed and as soon as they passed the point or saw that there was no police car they continued to breach the speed limit. It is noted that all 10 patrol cars with radar installed will be given for patrol on major roads and not for cities.
As far as conventional vehicles are concerned, the Traffic Department currently has five which it uses on major roads. The advantage of these vehicles is that they have no badges, no beacons but sirens and so are not perceived by drivers to comply proactively. The officers who staff them will wear uniform so that the drivers at the check know that they are Police.
Meanwhile, Traffic is starting from next Monday a campaign to control drivers in cities and in general in residential areas, after it has been found that 84% of accidents occur in urban areas and 64% in general in residential areas. The controls will mainly cover speed, safety belts and a mobile phone while driving.