A contract for the design, installation, maintenance and operation of speed cameras worth more than €34 million was signed on Monday in the presence of Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos and Justice Minister Emily Yiolitis.
A total of 90 fixed cameras in 30 locations and 20 mobile cameras will be used.
In addition to recording speeding violations, the cameras will also record other traffic offences, including the non-use of seat belts, the use of mobile phones, jumping red lights and the non-use of helmets by motorcyclists.
The project will be implemented in three phases.
The pilot phase, which is expected to be completed within six months, includes the operation of four mobile cameras and the installation and operation of four fixed cameras in one location.
In addition, a centre for the collection and processing of violations will be installed and will start operations, where notifications are going to be issued and sent to offenders. This is expected to be completed in another three months.
After the initial nine months a first phase will start, lasting a further six months. This involves the operation of 16 more mobile cameras and the installation and operation of an additional 20 fixed cameras in six locations.
During the next and final phase, to be completed within one year after the first phase has been finalised, 66 fixed cameras will be added, bringing the total to 90, in 23 locations.
The contract is estimated at €34,076,970 plus VAT. Approximately €8 million are earmarked for the supply and installation of the equipment while the remaining €26 million will be used for the maintenance and operation, including sending out notifications.
“I am happy about the signing of the contract as there are many studies which show that photo-enforcement systems significantly reduce road collisions and this project aims at road safety and the protection of human life,” Transport Minister Karousos said.
“As a government we have intensified our efforts to increase road safety and reduce road collisions through the implementation of new systems. There is no doubt that the photo enforcement system that will be installed in Cyprus will reduce road collisions at the points where it will be operating. It is worth noting that during the period when a corresponding system was operating in 12 places in Cyprus road collisions were reduced by 53.57%.”
“In combination with the other measures already taken and planned to be taken in the near future in the framework of the new strategic plan for the decade 2021-30, we hope that people will comply with the road traffic code, we will deal with unacceptable behaviours and consequently we will achieve the desired reduction in serious and deadly incidents,” Yiolitis added.
“The use of fixed and mobile cameras will enable us to make better use of the members of the police and help them to focus their efforts on the control of other serious traffic violations.”
Source: Cyprus Mail
