New traffic camera fines take effect in Cyprus starting today

Drivers in Cyprus who ignore traffic lights could soon feel it in their wallets and on their driving record.

Police announced that new rules regulating fines issued through the island’s photographic traffic system came into force Friday, March 6, after the Council of Ministers approved the changes and they were published in the Official Gazette.

The updated law revises how violations are classified when drivers fail to stop at red lights at intersections monitored by traffic cameras.

Under the new system, drivers who simply cross the white stop line at a red light will face a €25 fine.

But the penalties jump sharply if the vehicle moves further into the intersection.

If a driver enters a pedestrian crossing at a red light, the fine is €85 and three penalty points on their license.

Drivers who go beyond the pedestrian crossing, essentially moving deeper into the intersection, will face a €300 fine and three penalty points.

The same €300 fine and three penalty points apply when a driver enters an intersection past the mandatory stop line in areas where there is no pedestrian crossing.

Police said the new provisions apply starting today and will not be applied retroactively.

Authorities also reminded the public that questions or disputes related to traffic camera violations, including payment issues or identifying who was driving the vehicle at the time, should be directed to the company operating the camera system.

Drivers can contact the Photo-Tag system operator by phone at 80008009 (or 22712609 from abroad), by mail at P.O. Box 17031, 2260 Latsia, or through the website CyCameraSystem.com.

Officials say the changes are aimed at improving road safety and making the penalties clearer, particularly at intersections where pedestrians may be crossing.