Only 20% of around 190,000 attempts to serve traffic fixed-penalty notices have been successful, according to figures presented to Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday, prompting renewed concerns over the enforcement of fines issued through Cyprus' traffic camera system.
The committee examined the authorities' practice of serving outstanding fixed-penalty notices at police stations and crossing points using the so-called "Photo Radar List", with MPs questioning whether the current procedures comply with the law and adequately protect motorists' rights.
Concerns
Members also requested detailed information on how fines are being served, the number of outstanding notices and the progress of legislation that would introduce alternative methods of notification.
Officials from the Department of Road Transport said a bill allowing fixed-penalty notices to be served by SMS and email has completed public consultation and has been with the Legal Service for legal drafting since 4 February.
MPs voiced particular concern about motorists who may never have received notification because of incorrect address details. They questioned whether such individuals could suddenly face accumulated fines and court proceedings despite not being responsible for the failure of service.
Serving notices
Committee chair Fotini Tsiridou said MPs had requested a detailed breakdown of service attempts, warning that the large number of undelivered notices could result in thousands of additional cases before the criminal courts.
She said the committee was considering amendments to the legislation but had so far allowed the government time to bring forward its own proposals.
AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides questioned whether all the legally required attempts to notify motorists had been made before authorities resorted to serving notices at police stations or crossing points.
His party colleague Aristos Damianou argued that the rule of law should not "invent mechanisms to trap citizens", saying he had received complaints from people who claimed their constitutional rights had been breached after learning of outstanding fines only when stopped by police.
Several MPs also questioned reports that motorists had been notified of outstanding fines at airports, raising concerns over potential restrictions on their right to challenge the penalties in court.
Outstanding fines
Representatives of the Justice Ministry and the police rejected suggestions that the system operates at airports or ports, stating that the database used during passport and identity checks is not linked to the fixed-penalty system.
Police representative Charis Evripidou said outstanding fines are served only at police stations, other locations where checks are carried out, and at crossing points, and only after previous attempts by a private process server have failed.
He added that if officers had informed motorists of outstanding fines during airport identity checks, "it should not have happened".
A representative of the Legal Service said the law allows fixed-penalty notices to be served anywhere within the Republic of Cyprus, while the operational arrangements for carrying out service are a matter for the police and the private contractor.
The committee is expected to continue examining the issue at a future meeting.
Source: CNA
