Parliament is set to start discussions on eight legislative proposals aimed at revising the laws governing traffic fines and the operation of the traffic camera system in Cyprus.

The proposals, submitted by various political parties including Disy, Akel, Diko and Elam, seek to address perceived injustices, reduce fines and introduce more flexible payment options.

One of the key proposals, submitted by Akel MP Valentinos Fakontis, would allow people to pay traffic fines in two to five monthly interest-free instalments. Elam has introduced a similar proposal but without specifying the number of instalments, leaving that decision to the police. The justification for the proposed amendment is the increasing cost of fines, which have become a significant burden for many due to the rising cost of living.

Another significant proposal, put forward by Disy MPs Fotini Tsiridou and Onoufrios Koullas, seeks to extend the deadline for paying fines from 30 to 60 days, with the countdown starting from the date the fine is issued rather than the date of the offense.

Additionally, the proposal suggests that if a fine is paid within 30 days, the amount should be reduced by 30 percent, encouraging timely payment while providing some financial relief to the public.

The Disy MPs argue that the current system, which imposes an additional penalty if fines are not paid within 15 days, is overly harsh and that many people receive their salaries or benefits monthly, making it difficult to meet the 15-day deadline.

Moreover, they stress that traffic fines have increased significantly since 1997, when the 15-day deadline was introduced, justifying the need for a longer payment period without extra penalties.

In addition to these proposals, Tsiridou and Koullas have introduced a separate bill to suspend the imposition of penalty points for traffic light violations captured by traffic cameras.

This measure is intended to address issues with the cameras, particularly those related to the green arrow signal for turning right, which some drivers claim does not provide sufficient warning before changing to yellow and then red. The MPs argue that this has led to unjust penalties due to the lack of clear communication about how the cameras and traffic lights work together.

Another proposal, submitted by Akel MPs, calls for the installation of countdown timers at traffic lights monitored by cameras.

These timers would show drivers how much time remains on a green light, helping to prevent violations. If the timers are not installed within three months of the law’s passage, the MPs suggest suspending the relevant traffic light laws until the timers are in place.

Diko MP Chrysanthos Savvides has introduced a bill that would exempt learner drivers from being penalised for minor traffic offenses captured by cameras, provided the violation does not pose a significant safety risk.

Another proposal from Savvides seeks to increase the number of penalty points required for a court to revoke a driver’s license from 12 to 20. He argues that the accumulation of penalty points due to minor infractions is causing significant social issues, as drivers risk losing their licenses for relatively small offenses.

These proposals, if passed, would represent significant changes to Cyprus’s traffic laws, potentially easing the burden on drivers while still maintaining the deterrent effect of fines and penalties. Parliament is expected to continue deliberations on these issues in the coming weeks.