A PLAN to install a new traffic camera system could be implemented six to eight months from the day the Council of Ministers gives the green light.
Communications and Works Minister Nicos Nicolaides made the statement on Sunday, saying his Ministry would bring the issue before the Cabinet once again. According to the proposal, the complete system includes the installation of around 400 permanent and mobile cameras across the island in three stages.
He noted that the location and installation of cameras would be based according to surveys and taking into consideration the ‘dangerousness’ of certain points.
“Based on Cyprus’ experience as well as the European and international experience, such systems can and must be used in the direction of preventing road accidents, and this is our intention,” he stated.
“The faster the system is installed the faster we will begin combating road accidents in an effective manner.”
Nicolaides added that, “after the Council of Ministers decision, the procedure for tenders will begin.”
According to the Ministry’s head of the Road Safety Unit, “the Minister and police want this to move forward as quickly as possible, but the final decision on when it will be discussed involves others also, and we cannot give a timeframe.”
George Morphakis added that a few proposals have already been submitted by international companies but that no tenders have been asked for yet.
“The first stage of the eventual system will see around 40 fixed and 40 mobile cameras installed, with the rest over the remaining two stages. It will be a three-year project and will cost in the region of €28 million.”
Commenting, the Director of the Police Traffic Unit Theodoros Achilleos told the Mail: “As far as we are concerned, we call on a new traffic camera system to be installed as quickly as possible for the sake of road safety.”
It’s believed that mobile cameras will be preferred since they have been judged to be the most effective both in preventing traffic accidents and in aiding on-duty traffic police.
Police data shows that during the ten months the camera traffic system was in operation, accidents were minimised by 70 per cent.
The old system was deactivated on September 21, 2007 after the government pulled out of a contract with the supplier after negotiations to fix technical problems collapsed.
In January, an order from the Nicosia District Court banned the Communications Ministry from removing the cameras from their installed locations.
The plaintiff is suing for more than four million euros in damages.
A number of offending motorists have still not been tracked down, since they are either avoiding the summon-servers or have given a false home address to the police.
In total, more than 150,000 drivers have paid fines amounting to €2.9 million.
