On Monday, September 28, the Finance Committee of the Cyprus House of Representatives unanimously refused to allocate €146,000 for further development of the Photo Radar List system, which was intended to allow traffic-camera fines to be served on drivers when they crossed checkpoints along the Green Line. It should be noted that the request has now been rejected for the second time in a row.
The funding had been requested by the Electromechanical Services Department. The money was intended to be used to upgrade the photo radar system and establish two-way connectivity with police databases. This would have made it possible to exchange information about violations and serve fines on drivers when they crossed checkpoints.
Why the committee did not support the request
The main issue for MPs remains the scale of the problem: around 180,000 fines recorded by cameras have still not been served on offenders. Committee Chairman Chrysis Pantelides (DIKO) said MPs do not want to keep approving additional funding for separate technical solutions while the government has yet to propose a systematic way of addressing the problem. During the meeting, issues were also raised concerning:
- the protection of personal data when information is exchanged between government systems;
- access to vehicle data;
- the procedure for serving fines;
- possible consequences for people crossing checkpoints, including on foot.
The system is technically ready
Achilleas Pilias, a representative of the Electromechanical Services Department, said that the necessary connection has already been completed and that the procedure can technically be implemented. According to him, the system has been tested, although it has not yet been fully launched. The contractor was expected to make further adjustments and ensure connectivity with police information systems. MPs, however, continue to raise questions about the legality of using checkpoints to serve fines and about how citizens’ personal data would be protected.
What will happen to the unpaid fines
There is still no final decision on how to deal with the approximately 180,000 fines that have not been served. The Electromechanical Services Department refers to an opinion from the Legal Service stating that serving fines at checkpoints is permissible. MPs, however, expressed doubts about this position. The text of the legal opinion has not been made public.
Representatives of different political parties also requested explanations about the operation of the photo radar system and access to vehicle information. Fotini Tsiridou (DISY) proposed that the ministry prepare legislative amendments to revise the existing procedure for serving fines.
The question of allocating the €146,000 therefore remains open. The committee chairman said the issue of funding could be revisited once the government presents a more comprehensive solution to the problem or submits the relevant bill.
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