Newsroom
Errant drivers could be deprived of their vehicles under tough new measures being considered the Justice Ministry.
The intention of Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou is that drunk drivers or those found under the influence of drugs while driving are automatically banned from driving.
According to Phileleftheros newspaper, those who have failed an alcotest or drugs test at the roadside will lose their driving license immediately than are currently imposed.
The Minister also seeks to confiscate vehicles from those considered reckless or dangerous drivers.
Because there seem to be legal problems in giving such powers directly to the police, offenders will be given time to remove their locked vehicles off the road. If they do not, then the police will move it with a crane and the owner will be asked to pay the cost.
Legal opinion has been sought from the Attorney General, who has recommended changes to these plans since police cannot seize a vehicle as the right to property would be violated.
So the solution could be to lock the car and have it removed but the Attorney General said that all drivers have the right to be heard before their license is taken away.
According to Phileleftheros, these two measures will be included in government draft legislation to combat serious traffic offences and sent to the legal services for approval.
Among the ministry's other suggestions is the doubling of penalties for serious road traffic offences especially when road deaths are involved.
