With the installation of the photo-marking system, we are expected to improve the level of road safety, especially in urban centers where the majority of road collisions are observed, said the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Giannis Karousos.
He said that during the period when a similar photo-marking system was operating in 12 places in Cyprus, road collisions were reduced by 53,57%.
The Minister visited today the Center for the Processing of Violations of the Photo-Labeling System where he was informed about the progress of works and the procedure that will be followed in relation to the operation of the System.
In the specific Center, the violations that the system will detect will be collected and under the supervision of the Police, the further procedures will be carried out until the issuance of the notifications that will be sent to the violators.
According to an announcement, the contract that has been signed concerns the Design, Installation, Operation and Maintenance of the Photo Labeling System and includes ninety (90) fixed cameras in thirty (30) locations throughout Cyprus to cover black spots on the road network.
Also included are twenty (20) mobile cameras for the control of traffic speeding violations, for which the Police will determine the location and operating hours on a daily basis.
The cameras will detect speed limit, red light and stop line violations. By detecting and recording the above, the following obvious offenses can be additionally identified: use of a mobile phone while driving, non-use of the seat belt by drivers and non-use of a protective helmet by motorcyclists.
The project will be implemented in three (3) phases, as follows: Pilot phase, which includes the installation and operation of four (4) mobile cameras and operation of four (4) fixed cameras. This phase includes all the necessary equipment for the operation of the infringement center.
First phase, which will include the installation and operation of sixteen (16) mobile camera units and another twenty (20) fixed ones.
Second phase, which will include the installation of the remaining sixty six (66) fixed cameras.
As mentioned, the installation work of the System is carried out according to the schedules that have been set. It is expected that by the end of October 2021 the works related to the Pilot Phase will be completed and the test operation of the system will begin for a period of up to three (3) months.
The installation work for the First and Second Phase where all the cameras will be delivered and installed is expected to be completed in July 2022 and June 2023 respectively. According to the contract, the contractor will maintain and operate the system under the supervision of the Police for five (5) years.
It is noted that during the first thirty (30) days of operation of the system will not be issued out of court but warning letters will be sent to violators.
The Minister said that another announcement of the President of the Republic was implemented and said he was pleased with the progress of the work, noting that "the main goal of the project is to prevent and reduce deaths and injuries caused by traffic accidents."