Traffic cameras issue thousands of fines a day

For what violations do traffic cameras issue fines most often? What kind of control system for non-payers is the police preparing and by what date and what changes have already been approved?

From the start of 2024 until this month, cameras issued 155,350 fines.

The largest number of violations is for speeding – 99,636. Next comes running a red light – 33,945 fines. Then - crossing the stop line at a traffic light: 20,413 cases.

The cameras also recorded 1,087 incidents of driving with hands full. In 884 cases, drivers were holding a phone in their hands, in 203 - a cigarette or other objects.

The cameras also do not allow motorcyclists to pass through: 91 people rode without a helmet.

The devices registered 178 people who were not wearing a seat belt.

Automatic registration of the last three types of violations occurs only if some other violation was first committed and attracted the camera's attention. For example, a motorcyclist or car driver was speeding, and then the camera noted the absence of a helmet or the use of a phone while driving.

The Cyprus Police were planning to install the Photorandar list system at airports, police stations and checkpoints towards the “TRNC” by this summer. The vehicle recognition system must store data on issued fines in order to prosecute violators who have not paid the fine when crossing the border. However, the project is still under evaluation by government agencies and will only be implemented next year.

Police regularly check the effectiveness of the cameras. Thus, in Nicosia, it was decided that two cameras would be placed in places that were considered safe: at the intersection of Makariou and Spiru Kyprianou streets and at the intersection of Strovolou and Mahera streets. They will be installed in other places.

During the work of the chambers, proposals for amendments were submitted to parliament several times. Of the nine proposals, seven were rejected.

For example, the proposal to forgive student violations, to pay fines in installments, to toughen penalties for some violations, or to provide a discount for prompt payment of a fine was not accepted.

Parliament approved the extension of the period for payment of fines from 30 to 60 days and the extension of the period for holding defaulters accountable from 45 days to 90 days.

The text was prepared based on materials from Sigma

Read also

In July, police said the automatic fine-issuing system needed to be changed to work properly. Otherwise, the cameras will not have time to send notifications. Read more at the link.