Ioanna Kyriakou
For what is provided in the bill submitted before the Transport Committee of the House of Representatives to adjust the prices of fines from the fixed cameras, spoke to 'K,' the MP of DIPA, Marinos Mousiuttas. According to him, based on the proposal, the red traffic light ticket can be staggered. Instead of the current 300 euros, it will become 150 euros for the first violation. If the driver commits the same offense for the second time within three years of the first summons, then the penalty will be 300 euros.
Mousiuttas explained that the proposal was put on the table for two reasons. Firstly, fines for similar offenses such as not wearing a seatbelt, not wearing a helmet, and using a mobile phone while driving are 150 euros for the first time. Secondly, the amount of 300 euros is indeed quite a large sum for a citizen. However, Mr. Mousiuttas stressed that when the debate starts, he will modify the proposal. 'It is one thing to cross from one side to the other on a red line, and another thing to cross the line and stop there. I will put forward the idea of graduating the penalties for the misdemeanor. That is, if you run a red light, the fine should stay at 300 euros or even increase. But if you pass and stop on the line, then the penalty could be 150 euros for the first time, as well as the violation of the green bow, which also has confusion,' he explained.
Mousiuttas explained that the proposed law will be debated in Parliament next Thursday, November 30, and the aim is for it to be brought to a vote in mid-January.
Measures to identify those who do not pay out of court: A series of measures to track down vehicle owners who do not receive or pay their bailiffs are being considered by the police. In a statement on SIGMA's 'Vanguard' programme, the Assistant Head of the Traffic Police Headquarters, Harris Evripidou, explained that of the fines that have been delivered so far, about 5-6 thousand have not been paid. The process of sending the fines until now was done by mail, with Mr. Evripidou explaining that the problem that arises is that several of the databases used to identify the address of vehicle owners are not updated, and so there is no correct address for the out-of-court letter to be sent and received immediately. In addition, he said, several people avoid receiving the summons.
In an attempt to address the problem, Mr. Euripidou said an amendment to the legislation has been prepared and will be sent to Parliament for discussion within days, which will mention various measures. 'One of them is the sending of out-of-court notices by SMS and email, as these databases are more up-to-date.' Another part, he said, is to update these databases, and one way is through the renewal of traffic permits.
'It is in the interest of the owners of vehicles who are notified by the post office that they have an out-of-court notice to receive it because if they don't receive it and the time period passes, then we will be forced to send them to court,' he clarified. At the same time, he clarified that it is the obligation of the contractor, if someone does not receive the writ of summons, to have publishers and make personal service. 'This has already started to be done, and many of the bills of summons are being sent and received through this process.'
Finally, Mr. Euripidou said the police have prepared a list on which people who have not received their summonses will be registered, and when they go to travel, either by plane or boat, they will be identified by their identity and served with the summons.
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
