Traffic violations and the associated fines have been a topic of discussion in the House recently. Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades has pledged to provide an official position within a week after a road safety council meeting.
- Red-Light Violation Fine:
- Currently, if someone crosses a red traffic light, the fine is €300, and there are no plans to reduce it.
- The ministry’s proposal is to maintain the current fines. However, if only the first line of the red light is crossed, offenders can have their fine reduced by 50% if they pay within a fortnight.
- The ministry will also discuss proposals from MPs regarding these fines.
- Improvements at Junctions:
- Some improvements have already been made at junctions, resulting in significantly fewer complaints and a 28% reduction in fines since the changes were implemented.
- The ministry is preparing a comprehensive study on all junctions.
- Deadline to Pay Fines:
- There’s a discussion about extending the deadline to pay fines. While the ministry suggested 30 days, the recent meeting heard suggestions ranging from 60 to 90 days.
- Changes Passed by the House:
- Changes related to first- and second-line violations have already been approved by the House.
- Implementing these changes may require alterations to software and technical equipment, followed by approvals, which could take up to 12 months.
Overall, it’s essential to strike a balance between road safety and fair penalties for traffic violations.