Almost 130,000 out-of-court fines imposed on road safety

Source: Kathimerini

In a recent interview with Chief Sergeant Tasos Ashikkis of the Traffic Department at the Police Headquarters, some astonishing numbers regarding the implementation of photo-recording cameras have come to light. Since January 1st, 2022, a staggering 130,000 out-of-court fines have been imposed on citizens across the country. These fines were issued due to the vigilant watch of both fixed and mobile photo-recording cameras. Of these fines, a significant majority of 106,000 were related to violations of speed limits.

Chief Sergeant Ashikkis took the opportunity to discuss these findings on the popular radio show, DISPORA NEWS, which was aired on SPOR FM. He emphasized that the magnitude of the fines, 130,000 in total, should not be underestimated. The Police had expected a lower figure, considering the extensive publicity that had surrounded the installation and operation of the cameras. The high number of fines indicates that there is still work to be done to ensure road users adhere to traffic regulations.

While it may be too early to draw definite conclusions about the impact of these cameras on reducing road fatalities, Chief Sergeant Ashikkis shared that the Police have gathered some evidence in this regard. Surprisingly, 2022 proved to be the most successful year in terms of reducing fatal traffic accidents since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. Only 35 fatal collisions occurred during that year, resulting in 37 tragic fatalities. This was a significant improvement compared to 2021, which witnessed 44 fatal collisions and claimed 45 lives.

Looking at more recent data, from January 1st, 2023 until now, there have been 12 fatal collisions resulting in 12 fatalities. These figures indicate a decrease compared to the same period last year, during which 16 fatal crashes caused 17 fatalities. Although caution is warranted in making definitive conclusions, these statistics provide some hope that road safety measures, including photo-recording cameras, are having a positive impact.

Currently, 16 fixed cameras and 20 mobile photo-recognition cameras are operating throughout the country, playing a crucial role in monitoring traffic violations and promoting safer driving practices. As more fixed cameras are installed in the future, the impact on road safety is expected to become even more significant. The Police and relevant authorities remain dedicated to their mission of safeguarding lives on the roads and ensuring a safer environment for all citizens.

[This article was translated from its Greek original]