Newsroom
In a recent plenary session, the House of Representatives approved several key law proposals aimed at adjusting how traffic offenses are handled in Cyprus, particularly in relation to photoelectricity cameras and traffic lights.
Three law proposals, put forward by MPs Fotini Tsiridou and Onoufrios Koulla of DISY, were passed unanimously. These amendments will make significant changes to the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Law. One of the most notable changes is an extension of the period during which no prosecution for traffic offenses can be brought. Currently, this period is 30 days, but under the new law, it will increase to 105 days.
Additionally, the new law also includes a proposal to extend the period for the payment of extrajudicial fines. The time limit to pay fines before they are doubled will now be 90 days instead of the current 30. Also, penalty points for traffic offenses will now expire after two years, giving drivers more time before points are permanently added to their records.
Another major change approved by Parliament focuses on the use of photoelectric devices. MPs Nikos Kettirou, Kostas Kostas, Valentinos Fakontis, Giannakis Gavriel, and Andreas Pasiourtidis of AKEL pushed for an amendment to the Traffic Offences (Use of Phototagging Devices and Other Related Matters) Law. This proposal mandates the installation of countdown timers at junctions controlled by photo-tagging systems. The goal is to help drivers comply with traffic lights more easily. If the authorities fail to install these timers within six months of the law's enactment, the current penalties for failing to obey traffic lights will be suspended.
In a final update, several other proposals, including those from ELAM MPs Christou Christou, Linos Papagiannis, Sotiris Ioannou, and AKEL MP Valentinos Fakontis, were withdrawn, leaving the remaining proposals to move forward.
With these changes, drivers in Cyprus will now have more time to resolve traffic offenses and fines, and the new timer installation could make it easier for everyone to follow traffic light rules more effectively.
