Legislative change concerning traffic camera fines leads to unnecessary state costs

In 2025, Cypriot lawmakers introduced a new traffic offense targeting motorists who stop on pedestrian crossings at intersections monitored by cameras, replacing a previous, stricter fine. The legislative amendment required significant modifications to the traffic light camera management system software and contract adjustments, costing the state approximately €1.2 million.

Practical application of the new law has proven largely unnecessary and ineffective. According to data provided by Philenews, only 2,500 tickets were issued for this specific offense during the first ten months of 2026. This figure is negligible compared to the 56,500 traffic light violations recorded in the same period, which primarily involve running red lights. The initial offense, which carried a €300 fine for blocking a crossing, was replaced by the new €85 fine, leading to criticism regarding the wasteful expenditure of public funds for infrastructure updates.

Furthermore, reports indicate that while significant funds were spent on this project, Parliament simultaneously declined to approve measures that would facilitate the tracking and collection of unpaid traffic camera fines from Turkish Cypriot drivers. There is currently no mention of further legislative changes or investigations into the project's planning and implementation process.