Proposals to introduce zero tolerance for alcohol consumption among young drivers, learner drivers and unlicensed drivers are expected to be brought before the House of Representatives plenary within the next two weeks.
The issue was discussed on Thursday at a meeting of the Parliamentary Transport Committee, following a postponement decided by the plenary on 11 December 2025. During the same meeting, the Committee also examined proposals tabled by MP Nikos Georgiou regarding the advance announcement and publication of the general areas in which mobile speed cameras will be operating.
The Chair of the Transport Committee and DIKO MP Alekos Tryfonidis stressed that the zero-alcohol bills are of particular importance, as they directly concern young people and serious road traffic accidents with fatal outcomes.
He said that, following internal consultations within the Committee, the matters will be resubmitted to the plenary in around 15 days for final decisions.
Regarding the proposals on mobile cameras submitted by DISY MP Nikos Georgiou, Tryfonidis noted that the competent services had expressed opposition. However, political parties intend to continue the discussion, with the aim, as he underlined, of prevention rather than punishment through heavy on-the-spot fines that burden citizens.
It was also confirmed that the graduated system of fixed penalties, approved by Parliament in July 2024, will finally come into force on 1 March 2026, following a software upgrade, at an additional cost of €1.153 million to the state.
In statements, DISY MP Nikos Georgiou underlined that road safety is not enhanced through surprise checks and practices that trap citizens, but through prevention, transparency and proper information.
He said that preventive information does not undermine enforcement, but instead contributes to driver compliance and the reduction of road collisions.
He also stressed that the Police must operate in line with principles of good administration, transparency and respect for citizens, noting that the objective of traffic policy cannot be punishment for its own sake, but the cultivation of genuine road safety awareness and the protection of human life.
Georgiou further expressed concern over public reactions to the practice of concealing mobile cameras, arguing that this “game of hide-and-seek” creates the perception of a revenue trap through fines, undermining both prevention and trust between the state and citizens.
In his own statements, DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides described the issues as “particularly critical”, noting that one of the four proposals concerns zero alcohol for young drivers.
He said the aim is to provide the necessary tools to prevent fatal accidents linked to driving under the influence of alcohol.
“Over the past five years, 15,000 drivers have been arrested. Consider how many more are on the roads without being detected, most of them young people. Combined with drugs, the cocktail becomes even more dangerous,” Savvidis said, calling on all parties to support the measures without political cost.
“Let us save lives. That must be the slogan,” he added.
Savvidis also referred to a “significant revelation” during the discussion on speed cameras, disclosing that the legislation passed in July 2024 on graduated fines had remained inactive for almost a year and a half.
The relevant software, the Committee was informed, will finally be implemented from 1 March, at a cost of €1.153 million, an amount approved for payment to the company managing the system.
Roads, taxis and TAKATA
Meanwhile, the Committee Chair announced that the Minister of Transport and his associates will attend a Committee meeting on 19 February 2026, during which progress and problems related to major road and development projects will be discussed, along with port and infrastructure issues, procedures for registering used vehicles, the adequacy of taxi services by district, transport piracy, and the serious issue of TAKATA airbags, including reports of dangerous components being imported without adequate checks.