**MPs Clash with Government Over Traffic Timers**
In a heated session on Thursday, members of the House transport committee expressed frustration with government officials regarding the proposed installation of countdown timers at traffic lights. The discussion revealed a significant divide between lawmakers and the government over the compatibility of these timers with planned upgrades to the traffic camera system.
During the meeting, various MPs reiterated their support for countdown timers, arguing that such devices would provide drivers with crucial information, helping them avoid fines for running red lights. However, Alexis Avgoustis, an official from the Department of Public Works, countered that the implementation of countdown timers would conflict with the government’s initiative to introduce a new ‘smart system’ for traffic management.
Avgoustis explained that a public tender is currently underway for the installation of these smart traffic lights, with a contract valued at €7 million expected to be awarded by September. He emphasized that companies involved in the tender have indicated that countdown timers are not compatible with the proposed smart lights, which are designed to utilize dynamic switching based on real-time traffic conditions.
The smart traffic system aims to enhance road safety and efficiency by employing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. These systems are intended to monitor traffic volume continuously, adjusting green light intervals to alleviate congestion. In addition to basic surveillance, the smart cameras will have the capability to automatically read license plates, detect seatbelt violations, and identify instances of mobile phone use while driving.
The initial rollout of the smart system will focus on 125 locations in Nicosia and Limassol, with plans to expand to other districts in the future. Funding for this initiative is sourced from the Thalia programme, a €1.81 billion multi-fund development strategy for Cyprus, which is co-financed by EU Cohesion Policy Funds and national contributions.
Despite the government’s assurances regarding the benefits of the smart system, MPs remained skeptical. Akel MP Valentinos Fakontis criticized the traffic camera system, labeling it as “the biggest theft at the expense of the public” and suggesting that it functions primarily as a mechanism for tax collection. He pointed out that, despite the implementation of traffic cameras, road fatalities have actually increased, highlighting a disconnect between the intended goals of the system and its real-world outcomes.
Fakontis urged the government to explore ways to integrate countdown timers with the smart system before the expiration of the current traffic cameras contract in September 2027, which includes an option for a two-year extension.
Alma MP Irini Charalambidou echoed these concerns, noting that the installation of smart lights at the Nicosia general hospital roundabout has led to more complications rather than improvements. She questioned whether the primary objective of the traffic monitoring system is genuinely to enhance road safety.
Recent statistics from the European Transport Safety Council indicate a worrying trend in road safety in Cyprus, with fatalities rising by 9.8 percent to 45 deaths in 2025, following increases from 41 deaths in 2024 and 34 in 2023. While the island has managed to achieve a 13.5 percent overall reduction in road deaths compared to 2019, the leading causes of these fatalities remain consistent, including driver distraction, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The ongoing debate over countdown timers highlights a broader discussion about the effectiveness of current traffic management strategies and the need for innovative solutions to improve road safety in Cyprus. As the government moves forward with its smart traffic initiatives, the concerns raised by MPs may prompt further examination of how best to balance technological advancements with practical measures that can enhance driver awareness and safety on the roads.