Cyprus parliament blocks funding for photo radar enforcement at checkpoints

The House Finance Committee of the Cypriot Parliament has unanimously rejected a request for the release of €146,640 plus VAT to fund the 'Photo Radar List.' This system was intended to facilitate the service of traffic violation notices to Turkish Cypriots as they cross checkpoints. Officials from the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services and the Police argued that over 16,000 traffic fines remain unserved due to the current inability of checkpoint systems to identify residents living in the occupied areas who hold Greek Cypriot identification.

During the committee sessions, legislators remained unconvinced by the necessity of the project. Critics across various parties raised concerns that the traffic camera system has become primarily a revenue-generating tool, while others questioned the legal basis for processing personal data at border crossings. Some MPs suggested that fines should be served via alternative methods, such as email or SMS—an initiative the Transport Ministry has reportedly delayed for over 18 months. Achilleas Pilias from the Department of Electrical and Mechanical Services noted that the contractor had already performed the technical integration required to connect the system to police records, yet the funding remains frozen indefinitely until further legal and operational clarifications are provided.