Cyprus MPs Reject €146,000 for Traffic Camera Upgrade, Citing Legal and Operational Concerns

On Monday, Cyprus MPs voted against a €146,000 allocation to upgrade traffic camera systems and add a photo‑radar list that would allow authorities to collect outstanding fines at crossing points. The House finance committee demanded details on the system’s legal basis, data‑protection approval, and the number of out‑of‑court fines issued. Contractor Achilleas Pilias explained that the current system is still in a test environment and would need to be linked to police databases, a change that the committee viewed as a cost‑cutting move rather than a solution. MPs highlighted that the system functions more as a fine‑collection tool than an accident‑prevention measure, noting roughly 180,000 undelivered fines. The proposal was rejected for a second time, with MPs insisting that any new system must be legally sound and fully operational before funding is released.