TRUCK DRIVER ILLEGALITIES ON THE ROAD

 Filenews 8 October 2020 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis

Serious offences by truck drivers were detected by traffic police after yesterday's campaign on Cypriot roads. Combined with the series of violations of other drivers, a highly dangerous cocktail for causing traffic collisions is created.

From the checks carried out in both Nicosia and on the motorways, there have been several complaints from professional drivers showing that people who are unfit or unqualified are behind the wheel of heavy vehicles which, in the event of an accident, will be tragic. According to traffic data, a driver was caught without even holding a driver's license, a second was found to be driving a truck while he had only a student license, while a third had no tachograph installed in his truck and did not have a professional license. They were also charged by Traffic Police with other offences related to technical problems. It should be noted that a special unit has been set up in the Traffic Department for mechanical control of vehicles so that they can carry out technical checks with their specific knowledge.

In the meantime, complaints from drivers who are not disciplined and denounced on the basis of the new penalties continue, so it was decided, for the purpose of better control of drivers within the cities that occur and most fatal accidents, to send teams of 30 police officers from the Police Headquarters for systematic checks. Traffic police are determined not to show any tolerance for unruly drivers since this year the death toll in road accidents is increased.

In another development, yesterday was taken a step forward for the cameras. The Traffic Camera Evaluation Committee has met and is now expected to deliver a report to the Award Committee with a recommendation on which company will undertake the project. For the 120 mobile and fixed cameras five tenders have been submitted and the Commission will make its recommendation on which company meets the conditions and criteria and is the lowest to award the offer to it. The Director of the Electromechanical Service who will also take the final decision may accept the recommendation, or request further information or take another decision.

It is considered certain that companies that will not take up the offer will appeal to the Bid Review Authority which will delay the implementation of the project.