Fine increase for violations of the Traffic Code in the Republic of Cyprus

On October 1st of 2020 new amendments regarding the penalties imposed by the Traffic Code for violations shall enter into force. The traffic violations concern drivers breaking the Law which governs vehicle operation on roads and highways throughout the national territory. Such road traffic offenses include but are not limited to the following:

i) alcohol consumption
ii) seat belt use
iii) speeding
iv) reckless driving
v) cellphone use
vi) helmet use

The aforemetioned violations shall not only result to an increased penalty fee, but shall also grant to the Court a legal right to order a deprivation of driving, by the temporary suspending of the driving license, and direct a prompt trial, in the event of a more severe traffic infringement which is punished by imprisonment.

The new main amendments are listed in the following tables:

I) SPEEDING OFFENSES

Offense
Limits
Penalty Fines
Penalty Points
Conviction
Speeding <30% €2/km 1-3
<50% €3/km 2-4
<75% €5/km 3-6
>75% €4.000 * 4-8 Trial
Combination of offenses including speeding, alcohol and/or substance abuse €15.000 * 4 years imprisonment
Violation Replication within 3 years Subject to double convictions Suspending of driving’s license for a minimum period of 2 months

*the aforementioned fines may be combined with the deprivation of the drivings license.

Lower limits are imposed to physical persons falling under Article 5(2)(b) of the Road Safety:

II) ALCOHOL OFFENSES

Offenses / Alcohol infringements
Alcohol Ratio
Penalty fines
Penalty points
Conviction
Driving under the influence of alcohol / operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol 22-35mg /100mg €125 1-3 <1 month imprisonment and/or €1.500 fine + <3 months suspending of drivings license
Exhalation alcohol ratio 36-55mg/100mg €250 3-6 <3 months imprisonment and/or €3.000 fine + <3 months suspending of drivings license
Exhalation alcohol ratio 56-70mg/100ml €500 4-8 <8 months imprisonment and/or €5.000 fine and/or 2 years suspending of drivings license
>70mg/100ml <€10.000 5-10 <2 years imprisonment and/or <2 years suspending of driving’s license
Infringement Replication within 3 years Subject to double penalties Subject to double penalties Subject to double penalties
Refusal of sample submission <€10.000 <2 years imprisonment or <2 years suspending of driving’s license

III) ENFORCEMENT OF SEAT BELT AND HELMET USE

Offense
Description
Penalty fines
Penalty Points
Conviction
Seatbelt use violation Installation Driver’s use Passengers use Child safety seat €150 3-6
Violation replication within 3 years Subject to double penalties Subject to double penalties
Helmet use violation Failure to use a helmet €200 3-6
Violation replication within 3 years Subject to double penalties Subject tom double penalties
Seat beltm regulation infringement Refusal or omission or neglect by owner or holder or a motor vehicle to seatbelt installation <€1.000 <3 months imprisonment
Failure to the legal seatbelt use obligation <€2.000 <6 months imprisonments
Tolerance of minor child’s failure to use a seatbelt <€2.000 <6 months imprisonments
Reckless driving <€4.000 3-6 <2 years imprisonment
Reckless driving under alcohol or substance influence <€4.000 3-6 <2 years imprisonment + >2 months suspending of driving’s license
  • The aforementioned violations include penalties for out of court as well as in court convictions in case of infringements.

The present article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, under any circumstances, legal advice. For further information on the matter, please contact Arsen Theofanidis LLC and one of our legal consultants shall be glad to assist you.

N. Kalifatidou
Advocate – Legal Consultant
Arsen Theofanidis LLC