Marios Christofi
The Ministry of Transport and the Traffic Police are considering a pilot installation of average speed cameras on a section of motorway to monitor speeding. If the trial proves effective, the system will be expanded across the motorway network. As a result, the traffic enforcement vans could be used for other purposes and would no longer conduct checks at the same locations where average speed cameras are installed.
What are average speed cameras
As the Director of the Department of Electromechanical Services, Pavlos Yavris, told K, the system will rely on two cameras installed at predetermined points along a route. The first camera will record a vehicle as it passes the starting point, while the second will record it at the endpoint. Because the distance between the two cameras is fixed and the speed limit is known, the system will calculate the minimum time needed to complete the journey legally. It will then compare that figure with the vehicle's actual travel time. If a vehicle completes the route in less time than allowed, the system will determine that its average speed exceeded the legal limit. In that case, the prescribed process for reporting the driver for a speeding violation will begin.
According to the Director of the Department of Electromechanical Services, officials are still deciding where on the motorway the system will be installed. Once a location is selected, the cameras will be installed as part of a pilot program. If the results are satisfactory, the system will then be rolled out across the motorway network, Mr. Yavris said.
What will happen to the traffic enforcement vans
Asked what would happen to the traffic enforcement vans if the system is introduced on motorways, the Director of the Department of Electromechanical Services said, "There are plans to use the vans differently," adding that "as the Minister of Transport said, the vans can be used in cities at locations with high numbers of traffic violations and accidents."
