Cyprus hopes to introduce new traffic regulations to improve road safety and give drivers more flexibility. Key changes include:
Countdown timers to be installed at traffic lights monitored by cameras to help drivers comply with signals. Authorities have six months to implement this, or fines for running red lights will be suspended.
Extended deadlines for traffic violations: The prosecution period for offenses captured by traffic cameras has been increased from 30 to 105 days. Additionally, drivers now have 90 days (up from 30) to pay fines before they increase by 50%.
Penalty points for traffic violations will expire after two years instead of being permanent.
These measures aim to enhance compliance and reduce the financial burden on drivers. Let me know if you’d like more details!
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades reassured motorists that despite Monday’s mass recall of over 80,000 cars with potentially dangerous Takata airbags, the risk of driving these cars is very low. He emphasized that implementing the recall is the only way to remove the risk and that not all Takata airbags are defective.
276 vehicles were immediately immobilized, losing their road tax and MOT certificates. Owners of other recalled vehicles can still use their cars but must have the airbags replaced within eight months. The manufacturers will cover the replacement costs.
Vafeades also mentioned that the government is working on a plan to assist with the recalls and is considering offering free bus travel to those with immobilized vehicles
The Cyprus Government are discussing a proposal for mandatory dashcams in cars in Cyprus.
Authorities are divided on the issue, with some supporting it for improving road safety and aiding in accident investigations, while others are concerned about privacy and data protection.
The proposal aims to clarify the legal status of dashcams and potentially allow their footage to be used as evidence in court
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.
