Newsroom
A controversial system used at Cyprus' airports to track down drivers who fail to collect and pay traffic camera fines is facing legal scrutiny, as lawmakers question whether it operates within the law.
During a recent parliamentary session, it was revealed that the Legal Service had never been consulted by the Police regarding the “Photo Radar List” – a system used at entry and exit points of the Republic to flag individuals with unpaid traffic fines. The revelation has raised serious concerns about whether authorities are overstepping legal boundaries in their efforts to enforce penalties.
The issue stems from the way traffic camera fines are currently processed. When a violation is recorded, a fine is sent via post, but many drivers fail to collect it. Instead of seeking alternative legal routes to ensure payment, authorities have resorted to flagging these individuals at airports, potentially preventing their departure until the matter is settled.
Committee Chairman Nikos Tornaritis called the situation “very serious” and urged the police to issue a formal statement clarifying the legal basis of the system. Lawmakers are now questioning whether such enforcement measures respect due process and citizens’ rights.
With mounting concerns over transparency and legality, authorities may soon be forced to reconsider how they handle unpaid traffic fines—raising broader questions about privacy and due process in law enforcement.
