Just a few days before the payment deadline, only 24 percent of the traffic fines recorded by the camera-based traffic control system in Cyprus have been paid. The authorities warn:

Anyone who does not pay by Monday, March 31, must expect criminal prosecution.

According to figures from the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the system registered around 250,000 traffic violations between January 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024. However, as of Friday morning, March 28, only about 60,000 fines had been paid.

The grace period for these outstanding out-of-court fines began on January 8 and ends on March 31. The police once again point out that vehicle owners should check whether their vehicle has been registered and, if necessary, pay outstanding fines in good time.

Those who do not pay will be prosecuted without further delay.
In an official statement, the police confirmed that criminal files will be created after the deadline has expired and those affected will be brought to court.

New legal regulations are also intended to alleviate the burden of high fines:
In the future, those affected will have 90 days to pay a fine before a 50% surcharge Is. If payment is still not made, criminal prosecution begins after 105 days. Points in the

driver's license register are automatically deleted after two years.

Parliament has also approved the installation of countdown timers at traffic light intersections with cameras. If these are not installed within six months, penalties for red light violations will be suspended.

However, the system itself remains controversial. Critics accuse him of serving revenue generation rather than road safety.
MP Marinos Sizopoulos (EDEK) described the implementation as "predatory" and stressed that the high penalties had hardly led to a reduction in fatal accidents.

The police are urging vehicle owners to check their files and pay any outstanding fines immediately to avoid prosecution.









author. Tom Weyerman
Source. Cyprusmail.com