The traffic camera system is likely to be completed in May with the installation of 90 fixed cameras.
According to the contract, the traffic camera system was supposed to be delivered by the contractor company by March 31.
However, amendments made due to changes in various points extend its completion.
The pending issues at the moment concern six points (two in Nicosia and four in Limassol) where work is being done or some are stagnant because the approval of the Central Committee of Changes and Requirements is required.
Specifically, because the contract signed between the state and the company recorded the points, and now some will change, the approval of the Committee is required before work begins.
One of the points requiring approval concerns the traffic camera at the intersection in Polemidia where a quadruple fatal accident occurred on New Year’s Eve.
Also, there is still a point in Limassol where cameras were not initially planned to be installed.
However, since the two cameras installed on Strovolos Avenue at the intersection with Makariou Street do not seem to serve the intended purpose, those monitoring the turn on Makariou Street will be removed and placed in Limassol.
In Limassol, cameras will be installed at two more points that were scheduled, completing their installation in the city.
Cameras will be placed at two more points in Nicosia.
Test recordings have already begun from the four cameras at the intersection of Athalassas and Akropolis Avenues.
Additionally, two cameras were recently installed on Archangelou Avenue, one in each direction, which will only monitor speed.
At the same time, changes are underway promoted by the Ministry of Transport both at a practical and legislative level.
Practically, changes are being prepared on the lights where cameras are installed to make the white line, the pedestrian crossing area, more visible, while warning lights for drivers about the time they have to cross on green will also be installed.
Legislatively, amendments are being prepared so that anyone who pays the penalty notice of €300 within 15 days will only pay 50%, and also those who choose to pay later will have more time. From 45 days today to 60.
In another development, the list which will include the names of drivers reported by cameras but did not receive their penalty notices, is ready.
Once approved through software, this list will be given to airports and ports as well as to roadblocks so that when someone travelling is spotted on this list, they will be given the penalty notice on the spot and allowed to depart for their destination.
Meanwhile, a bill will provide the right to the company managing the traffic camera system, or to the post office, to send SMS or email notifications about the existence of a penalty notice.
The Ministry of Transport, as related information tells us, is promoting an awareness campaign in the daily press and on social media to enlighten the public about what they should pay attention to at intersections and thus avoid fines.
Regarding penalty points, these are not affected by the changes being promoted, although a law proposal is pending to increase them from 12 to 20 for someone to lose their driving license.
This is because the measure with the School for Offending Drivers is being promoted, where drivers will have the opportunity to erase penalty points they have been charged with by attending road awareness courses.
The problems with the traffic camera system, as we were told, are currently two: the non-delivery of 147,000 penalty notices and companies whose drivers are reported but for some reason do not indicate the person who committed the violation.
These will be resolved with legislative changes being promoted by the Ministry of Transport in consultation with the Police.
