Traffic cameras, particularly the ones at the main intersections of Makarios Avenue and Amathountos in Limassol, have caused problems for urban bus drivers of EMEL.
Legal actions and fines against the drivers are resulting in some of them being at risk of losing their driving licenses, as they continually accumulate penalty points.
According to information obtained by Phileleftheros, the issue was discussed yesterday in a meeting among Limassol, Nicosia bus drivers, and trade union representatives, along with the Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeades.
The minister, according to the same information, assured those involved that he would work with the police to find ways to ease the specific issue. At the same time, the Ministry is considering an alternative solution applied in Greece.
It’s a system that informs drivers before traffic lights if they have time to pass through the intersection.
The spokesperson of EMEL, Petros Theocharides, spoke to Phileleftheros about the issue, mentioning intense reactions from bus drivers. He explained that almost every week someone receives a fine.
He added that drivers are passing by cameras 20 to 30 times a day.
He further emphasized that there are cases where the photos show the bus bumper 12 meters ahead, 2-3 centimeters beyond the line, leading the bus driver to be fined €300.
Additionally, he stressed that a driver of a 12-meter bus, filled with passengers, some of whom are standing, cannot brake abruptly at the light change to avoid a fine.
“From the legal notices, we read that our drivers have violated the red light, meaning it turned red before the bus stopped for four-tenths of a second. All the penalties of our drivers concern these issues,” he said, adding that they are receiving penalties for October at the moment.
Another issue is that many times drivers are forced to brake abruptly because the preceding car stopped suddenly, to avoid crossing the line and being caught by the camera.
The atmosphere created is not the best, noted Mr. Theocharides, supporting that some drivers are considering changing professions since the slightest mistake could result in paying a fine that touches their weekly earnings.
Ultimately, he said that the problem with fines is even greater as penalty points are also accumulating.
