Are Radar Cameras Legal or Not

[johnerebus]

I went south last week and was told on re-entry that I'd been caught on a speed camera. I was also told to go to Girne police station asap - Bayram permitting - where I would find out more info. Ismit aka Elko has challenged the legality of the cameras in court on many occasions and had his "illegal"speeding charges dropped.

My question therefore: Is dey or aint dey legal? I know this is Cyprus where there are possibly more than 50 shades of grey but I'd welcome and really appreciate a definitive answer. Thanks in anticipation. John

[Keithcaley]

You can find all TRNC laws, including the ones covering Driving here - though you might want to set Google Translate loose on it...

If you want Ismet's opinion, you could email him at ismetus@gmail.com

[Royalcorpsoftranspor]

Johnerebus you have been caught Lol Man up & just pay it

[andrew4232]

there are plenty of signs warning you where the cameras are and the speed your allowed to be going so you cannot blame the government for getting caught

[Philoz]

I second Andrew (Msg 4) totally.
The cameras are well signposted,and I am lead to believe all working.

Also ,they are located here,as far as I have noticed, in potential accident 'blackspots' such as junctions, nears shops etc.
Unlike in the UK where they are placed randomly in order to extract maximum cash from motorists on roads that have unreasonably low speed limits.

You need to cough up-it's a fair cop.

By the by-'Dey' only has one less letter than 'They'-which is what I assume you were trying to say-much easier to type in English rather than gibberish.

[Jonnie]

I got caught going up the hill out of Girne by the camera near the Chinese there. I questioned this with a chap I know who does hire cars, he said it was wrong and I should not pay it. Eventually it would go to court. I paid it after all just was not worth the hassle. I could not be sure but I had a car full of people and loads of gear and I would be surprised if I had been doing the speed quoted. I would think it was a car on the other side of the road that triggered it and I was in the frame.

On another occasion I was caught on a hand held near the bowling alley. I knew they were there and there was no way I was doing the 83kmph they stated however they were catching loads, passing the radar between each other quite fast and the policeman would not have it that he had made a mistake. Choice sign the form or get arrested.

[cyprusishome]

Seems my earlier post "got lost"!

I did say pay up as the others and "if you cannot do the time, do not do the crime"! The problem is that unless you are fluent in Turkish and fully conversant with TRNC law you are stuffed!

I got done on south side by road side police radar. Showed me the gun and gave me the ticket. Then asked if there was anything I wanted to say, my sensible hat was on so did not say what I was thinking which was "it was the cars fault cos it was enjoying the ride out on the wide open spaces of the 3 lane road". It was a good job I had slowed down a bit cos the car really was enjoying the blow out!!!!!! Still, 46 euros for 127kph was a fair cop.

[karmels]

Why not get a very small GPS camera warning devise from the GPS supplier about 200 mtrs up from the colony hotel.
This will remind you when you are approaching a camera, it is very easy to be talking in the car and miss the warning and go through the camera 10 km over the limit which will get you a fine plus 40 points.
These devises cost about 150 tl with all the cameras in the north installed and they have all the old camera positions in the south installed.
I have had one for over 12 months and have not been caught speeding, before I went through 3 cameras in one day coming back from golf.
Forgot to mention if a new camera appears you can add it to the devise.
Mel.

[Philoz]

Why not just go a bit slower-its a lot easier.
And safer

[Soner]

Have been driving in UK for 30 years now and have never had a speeding fine or any points added to my license, and quite proud of the fact. Come to TRNC and guess what is waiting for me at Customs on entry each time...... yes a speeding fine. Officer once said "it's easy to do 90 on a 65 road when driving a mercedese" I pointed to my hired car and said "but I only drive small hatchbacks, I struggle to pick up any speed in these". Nevermind, it's only money.

[Deniz1]

You are normally told about a fine before you cross over sometimes they wont let you through until its paid.

[Scoobydoo]

Never having been caught speeding yet (phew!) and not knowing the legalities of speeding cameras, I can only tell you what happened to a friend when they queried their speed and wanted proof of who was driving. They were sent to Lefkosa police station and paid a small fee to see photographic evidence so I guess if you had a query then you could try and follow this route.

[Jonnie]

I pay up and put up but to be honest as a method of reducing accidents they are poor. I got caught once in my early teens in the UK and have had several here 2 of which were questionable as I have said.

If they really want to reduce accidents they should nail people for using Mobiles. The use of mobiles is considered as bad if not worse than mixing alcohol and driving in some circles and several major companies have ruled they should be switched off inside a vehicle...not just hands free.

Obviously an improvement in driving standards, a respect for speed, a safe distance and a knowledge of the rules of the road would be a major help.

[cyprusishome]

Jonnie,
You missed the two most important issues - a driving test and vehicle MOT. Introduce even adequate of both and accidents would reduce dramatically.

[Keithcaley]

I agree that everyone should obey the law when driving, I also agree that there are a lot of other factors that contribute to unsafe driving.

However, with the lack of proper maintenance, calibration etc, just because you've got a ticket doesn't mean that you were actually speeding...

[v_vudali]

I must say though some of the speed limits are rediculously slow!

I also think that for however many km over the speed limit they fine you for, they should also make people pay the same fine for driving that many km under the speed limit!!

Drivng 34kmph on a 65kmph single carriage way is surely just as dangerous!

[CatalkoyChris]

I got caught on a camera last October on the Esentepe camera driving a Greek hire car.
I'd been over a few times inbetween with no problems.

Trouble is, I always hire from Baspinar...? Never hired a Greek car.

I had to pay it to get out of the country.

As well as this issue I wonder about their calibration? The cameras in the UK are regularly calibrated (every few months at least).
You can ask for copies of the calibration certificate if you get caught speeding, indeed it is referenced on the letter for traceability reasons.
I wonder if that is done here?

I am all in agreement with the cameras as long as they are fairly signposted, calibrated and my details are not mixed up with others.

Chris

[Deniz1]

You can ask to see the photo but its in Lefkosia.

[pippie]

Why not get a very small GPS camera warning devise from the GPS supplier about 200 mtrs up from the colony hotel.
This will remind you when you are approaching a camera, it is very easy to be talking in the car and miss the warning and go through the camera 10 km over the limit which will get you a fine plus 40 points.
These devises cost about 150 tl with all the cameras in the north installed and they have all the old camera positions in the south installed.
I have had one for over 12 months and have not been caught speeding, before I went through 3 cameras in one day coming back from golf.

Karmels - I've got a Snooper which, you're right are very handy for waking you up when you're approaching a camera or other radar signal. However, I was told that they're just as illegal in this country as they are in the UK. I'm not sure so if you have one, just be careful when a copper is nearby!

[suehowlittle]

What I would like to know is: Is there documented evidence that these cameras have cut down on smashes and deaths?

In my opinion, I see (particularly on the Lapta strip) cars slowing down to the stupid speed of 35/40kph and then once through the cameras, back to 85/90. If the intention really was to keep this area safe then they need another one at the other end of the strip.

Anyway, it is academic, don't speed if you do not want to be caught breaking the law. I have been here 9 years now and have not had a speeding ticket. Why? Because I do not speed. This is a small place and observing the speed limits will get you where you are going just 5 minutes later that at 80kph.

Perhaps we should relax a bit more?

[andrew4232]

lets all be adult here were living a country that does not exist with not many other forms of income so why do you think there doing it ?

[PoshinDevon]

Strangely I rather like the cameras in N Cyprus.

When we come over we feel that driving during the day seems a little more relaxed than in the UK - well for us we do slow down and adjust accordingly. Yes nutters are about and you do have to have your wits about you...driving at night is a little more challenging due to no street lights and badly adjusted vehicle lights!

The day we returned from our last holiday we landed, picked up the car and set off home...coming up to a junction we were just slightly unsure which way to turn - only a split second delay but you would have thought we had stopped the world judging by the reaction from the person driving the car behind. I was very restrained and as he overtook us I just shook my head in despair - welcome back to the UK!

[paula121s]

I got done for speeding earlier this year, got ribbed by my partner the whole weekend then when went to get the ticket surprise surprise the day it was taken I wasn't driving . But my name is first on reg docs so I get ticket and points

[johnerebus]

I've contacted Ismet as suggested by Keithcaley and he has two court cases challenging the legality of the cameras on the 8th and 9th of this month. The courts are bringing a Gatso (the manufacturers of the cameras I believe) expert from Holland to face Ismet in court.

I collected my tickets yesterday from Girne police and they were for alleged offences in 2009. Since then I've been allowed in and of of N Cyprus 4 times with no previous indication that had committed speeding offences!

Ismet suggested I sit on the tickets 'till the outcome of his court cases are known, and I've asked him if I can post his earlier reply to me on this forum.

I was told by Girne police I have 15 days in which to pay the fines and will wait until the outcome of Izmet's cases are known or 14 days before paying - whichever is sooner.

[Bert]

Mel
Where abouts exactly was the shop that sells the detectors? do you have a name. I have had one in in tyhe UK and one in Saudi arabia for many many years and like you believe they are very useful and apart from saving the fine they also prevent you in some cases from jamming your brakes on at the last minute when you spy the damn things.

[karmels]

HI Bert.
As you come out of metal ally you would turn right to go to the Colony hotel, on the junction at the top right is a electrical shop the GPS office is on the top floor of this building the door is on the side, you will see GPS advertised on the top outside of the building.
Mel.

[Bert]

Brillian thanks Mel

[Sergey]

http://www.i-database.co.uk
Put your number and see.

[Jonnie]

Jonnie,
You missed the two most important issues - a driving test and vehicle MOT. Introduce even adequate of both and accidents would reduce dramatically.

I would cover an improvement in driving standards as something testable and I actually think the poor quality MOTs have very little to do with the accident rate to be honest. Car condition probably accounts for a very small percentage of crashes and the bulk of them will be single vehicle which to my mind is up to the driver. Yes before you say it there will be cases where it involves more than 1 but look at it another way how many times do you see a clapped out old jalloppy going down the road at 40 mph, probably with worn steering, ball joints etc etc. How many times do you see someone doing 60 and think I bet they are on the phone.... because they are clearly dangerous.