The problems created with the personal data in relation to the photo-tagging system (Traffic cameras) were overcome and from yesterday those who were registered will receive a warning from the 1st of the year out of court. Those who were not registered from October 25 until yesterday, their details will be deleted.
The competent Services record with satisfaction the reduction of violations by drivers from cameras (fixed and mobile) which shows a significant compliance, in a year that seems essentially "lost" for the Traffic Police, since essentially no significant reduction in road deaths has been reported. This year until yesterday we mourn 44 dead on the asphalt in 43 deadly road collisions, while in the same period last year the death toll was 46 and throughout 2020 amounted to 48. It is noteworthy that 14 of the 44 dead are motorcyclists and six other pedestrians.
The issue was discussed yesterday during the meeting of the Road Safety Council, chaired by the Minister of Transport, Giannis Karousos, with the participation of the Minister of Justice Stefi Drakou, officials of the Police, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth and other relevant Services.
As Mr. Karousos explained, "The most important tool we have at our disposal and confirms our assessment that it can save human lives lost on the road network, is the photo-tagging system, which has been piloted since October 25, 2021. The duration of the pilot phase It is three months old and uses eight cameras, four mobile and four fixed. The system in full development will include 90 fixed cameras in 30 locations across Cyprus, as well as 20 mobile cameras ".
According to him, The data from the first weeks of pilot operation of the cameras are encouraging and show that the citizens are gradually getting used to it, since the violations have been significantly reduced. Typically, the Minister of Transport stated that, from the fixed cameras, at the beginning of the implementation of the measure, an average of 804 complaints were recorded per day, with the number later decreasing to 703, while later they decreased further and reached 423, on average . In other words, there was a decrease of up to 47%. It is worth mentioning that violations at fixed camera points, such as speed combination and red light violation, have been reduced from an average of 4,2 per day to 0,9.
In terms of road collisions that motorcyclists are involved, The Minister of Transport referred to a number of actions that are being launched to reduce them, taking into account that, according to the report of the Road Safety PIN program, for the period 2018-2020, Cyprus recorded the highest percentage of dead young motorcyclists who did not wear a helmet, which amounted to 50%, while the statistics for the three years 2017-2019 are also a cause for concern, which show that out of the total number of deaths in road accidents, 59% were motorcycle riders and passengers.
At the same time, according to Mr. Karousos, A subsidy plan for protective equipment for motorcyclists for the period 2022-2024 is being implemented, with a budget of 1 million and 50 thousand euros (350.000 euros per year). The aim is to subsidize all types of protective equipment, with priority given to the subsidy for protective equipment such as vest-airbag. The plan will enter into force in the first half of 1. The Minister of Transport also underlined that within 2022, the actions concerning other vulnerable groups of the road network such as cyclists and pedestrians will be intensified. The data collected are already being evaluated and significant changes are being made in consultation with other services. At the same time, he stated that he will take the initiative for meetings with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Defense, in the presence of other competent Services for strengthening the educational tools on the issues of road safety. Mr. Karousos also sent the message in view of the Christmas holidays: "This year, let us all reach our destination and our loved ones safely."
For her part, the Minister of Justice said that issues such as photo-labeling were examined, which will officially start operating from the 1st of the new year, the successful institution of ambassadors, which will continue, actions that should be targeted at the causes. accidents, but also the necessary amendments that need to be made to the legislation in order to address gaps where they have been identified. It is noted that for 2022, Alexis Dimitriou and Michalis Sophocleous have been appointed Road Safety Ambassadors.
Measures for motorcycle riders
According to Mr. Karousos, specific actions and amendments to legislation have been prepared and are being promoted, which include, among others, amendments to the Driving License Law 2021 and concern:
- The expiration of the student driving license after two years from its issuance, in order to reduce the phenomenon of riding a large motorcycle without a regular license.
- The student motorcycle license holder will be able to use the road network only with an instructor.
- Motorcycle riders for business purposes must use specific protective equipment.
- Criminalization of driving during work if the driver does not have a driving license of the category of the vehicle with which he works / drives.
Also, new legislation is being promoted for trainers and Driving Schools that will include:
- Post-secondary education in recognized schools for driving instructors.
- Upgrading the tools that the Driving Schools must have with the introduction of modern learning systems.
- Lifelong training of driving instructors and continuous evaluation.
philenews.com