New regulations governing fines for red light violations at intersections came into force on Friday following a decision by the cabinet and since published in the official gazette.

Police said the updated framework introduces a graded system of penalties depending on how far a vehicle proceeds beyond the stop line or pedestrian crossing.

According to police, “the new regulations are applied without retroactive effect” and aim to clarify how offences recorded by traffic enforcement cameras are penalised.

Under the revised provisions, drivers who cross the mandatory stop line at a traffic light junction face an out-of-court fine of €25.

More serious penalties apply when a driver fails to comply with a red light.

When a vehicle enters a pedestrian crossing at a junction, the penalty is an €85 fine and three penalty points.

Police explained that when a vehicle moves further forward beyond the pedestrian crossing, the offence carries a substantially higher sanction.

“In cases where the vehicle enters beyond the pedestrian crossing, an extrajudicial fine of €300 and three penalty points is imposed.”

The same penalty applies at intersections where there is no pedestrian crossing but the vehicle proceeds beyond the stop line and enters the junction area while the light is red.

Authorities say the adjustments form part of the implementation of the legislation governing violations captured by photographic traffic enforcement system.

The system records offences automatically at traffic light-controlled intersections.

Police also urged the public to contact the system’s contractor directly for queries or disputes relating to recorded violations.

These include questions about possible offences, difficulties paying an extrajudicial fine, confirmation of the driver’s identity at the time of a violation or other related matters.

Members of the public can contact the contractor through the CyCameraSystem website or by telephone on 80008009.

Calls from abroad can be made to 22712609.