A parliamentarian has proposed legislation to allow dashcam footage as admissible evidence in court proceedings, marking a potential shift in how traffic incidents are documented on the island.
MP Stavros Papadouris is pushing for the measure, which would make dashcam installation voluntary but would enable drivers to submit footage as evidence in court cases.
The proposal comes amid broader discussions about modernising traffic incident management.
The Parliamentary Transport Committee will discuss the initiative on Thursday alongside a separate proposal by MP Demetris Demetriou. Demetriou’s bill would require drivers to photograph collision scenes and exchange details before moving vehicles to prevent traffic congestion.
Papadouris acknowledged potential privacy concerns and has requested input from Data Protection Commissioner Irene Loizidou, who has previously expressed reservations about camera usage under current legislation.
Speaking to philenews, Papadouris emphasised that the proposal aims to address privacy issues whilst providing legal clarity for dashcam use.
The legislator suggested the technology could serve multiple purposes, including documenting police interactions and providing context for traffic camera violations.
He cited successful implementation of similar measures abroad, where dashboard and motorcycle helmet cameras are already accepted as court evidence.
The proposal could streamline judicial procedures by reducing reliance on witness testimonies and expediting court proceedings, Papadouris said.
He stressed that any approved legislation would need to ensure recordings are used solely as evidence and not for other purposes, noting that many drivers are already using unauthorised cameras.
Dashcams are primarily used internationally to record evidence of incidents whether vehicles are moving or parked, and to help prevent theft and vandalism.
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