A new bill in Cyprus proposes that drivers involved in accidents causing only material damage must move their vehicles to avoid traffic congestion and document the incident themselves.
Introduced by DISY MP Demetris Demetriou, the bill requires drivers to photograph the accident scene for insurance purposes and exchange personal and vehicle information.
They must also complete the European Accident Statement Form, either electronically or on paper.
The legislation aims to prevent traffic delays caused by minor accidents where drivers currently wait for insurance assessors to arrive.
Cyprus’ Parliament has decided to raise the threshold for driving license suspension from 12 to 16 penalty points. This change will take effect on February 1, 2025.
Independent MP Alexandra Attalides opposed the amendment, arguing that the previous limit was sufficient to deter reckless driving and that raising the threshold sends a lenient message about road safety.
Diko MP Chrysanthos Savvides, who proposed the bill, argued that increased traffic enforcement measures necessitated the change to prevent drivers from quickly accumulating penalty points
Attalides warned that the new law might be seen as accommodating lawbreakers and could have broader societal implications. She suggested that she might have supported the threshold increase if it were temporary, but the permanent change appears to be driven by short-term electoral goals.
CyprusDriving agrees with Alexandra Attalides.
Many road safety initiatives are watered down so much that they have no effect whatsoever, as can be seen by the consistent bad driving we see on our roads.
As road deaths continue to rise, the road safety council is set to convene on Wednesday to explore ways to reduce fatalities from traffic collisions.
At the same time, police are seeking alternative methods for delivering fines issued by traffic cameras, the reason being the idea that drivers who are held financially accountable for road violations are more likely to comply with the rules.
To date, 29 road deaths have been recorded this year, with most victims being pedestrians and motorcyclists.
According to government data, pedestrians are often at fault due to carelessness, while motorcyclists are primarily endangered by other drivers attempting to turn right and cutting them off.
A significant factor contributing to fatalities is the use of mobile phones while driving, with statistics indicating that eight fatal accidents this year were caused by drivers using their phones.
All available data will be evaluated during the council meeting, with authorities expected to intensify driver checks in the coming days.
Meanwhile, traffic police and the road transport department are also pushing for alternative ways to deliver fines to drivers who either refuse to accept them or cannot be located. A growing number of drivers are evading these penalties, especially for violations caught on traffic cameras, leading to a backlog of unpaid fines.
To address the issue, according to daily Phileleftheros, the road transport department is planning to seek a legal opinion on whether courts can issue summonses to drivers who cannot be traced despite repeated attempts.
Under current law, an initial fine notice is sent by mail. If the driver does not respond, the private company managing the traffic camera system attempts to deliver the fine in person. If two attempts fail, police then step in. However, the current modus operandi has so far proven ineffective, with over 70,000 fines currently pending delivery.
The road transport department is expected to propose that court summonses be used to deliver fines to offending drivers.
Also, authorities are expected to introduce a new system at airports and border crossings, where drivers with outstanding fines will be flagged and served on the spot when they attempt to travel.
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.
The Cyprus Parliament passed a bill lowering fines for certain traffic violations, particularly running red lights. MPs deemed previous fines too steep for average motorists.
The penalty for stopping on a pedestrian zebra crossing is now €85 (down from €300), but fines for going beyond the crossing remain at €300.
MPs criticized the traffic lights system as punitive rather than preventative. Some drivers feel “ambushed” by fines.
Deaths from car collisions have increased by 41% since traffic cameras were implemented.
The government plans to maintain out-of-court fines but extend payment deadlines.
Warnings have been painted on the road around the island at junctions that have fixed cameras on them, the transport ministry announced on Sunday.
According to the ministry, painting of the warnings began on Monday.
The road markings, and boards on the posts holding the cameras, are just a warning to better inform drivers of the status of the road, an announcement said.
They are not intended to negate other road markings, such as the solid white line.
Pelican pedestrian crossings are set to enhance safety in Paphos starting this Wednesday. The municipality has strategically installed these crossings at key locations:
Evagoras Pallikaridis Avenue: The pelican crossing will operate from midday on the section extending from its junction with Kaniggos Street to the new roundabout.
Hellados Avenue: Another pelican pedestrian crossing will be active from its junction with Amathustos Street to the roundabout.
Hellados Avenue and Onoufriou Klerides Street Junction: A third crossing will operate at the traffic lights adjacent to the municipality’s office of Technical Services.
These controlled traffic light systems are part of ongoing efforts to improve safety along these avenues. The municipality urges drivers to adhere strictly to road markings and signals for their own safety and that of fellow road users. 🚦🚶♀️🚗
Electric scooters are causing problems in Paphos, police spokesman Michalis Nikolaou said on Tuesday, since local authorities have not made provision for their conditions of use.
In the past year, police have issued 90 fines he said for scooter users committing various traffic violations. Although their use in several areas is prohibited, confusion reigns as authorities have not designated lanes or determined safe circulation areas.
Speaking to Cyprus Mail Nikolaou clarified the scooters in question are the step-on type, usually battery operated.
“The municipality needs to decide on which streets the scooters are allowed and paint lanes for them,” the police spokesman said, adding that though they may use paved areas, some streets with a designated speed limit of 30kmph could also, potentially, be open for them, provided lane markers exist.
Police have had to respond to complaints about the scooters from Kato Paphos drivers, including their frequent use by minors who sometimes use them to tow rolling seats, which is prohibited.
Nikolaou noted that on July 28 last year the laws governing the circulation of bicycles and other personal mobility devices, such as step-on scooters, were published in the Official Gazette of the Republic.
Referring to some of the legal prerequisites, he said use of scooters is only permitted for persons aged 14 and over, riders must wear a protective helmet, and during the night they should wear clothing with reflective strips.
Nikolaou also said transporting any passenger is prohibited, except in certain conditions and for certain vehicles, where the passenger is 12 years or older and seated.
He said that although the use of scooters under the influence of alcohol or drugs is forbidden, scooter riders are exempt from third party insurance.
