A legislative proposal regulating the use of electronic image and sound recording devices in vehicles, known as dash cams, is being brought before the House plenary today. The proposal, which amends road safety legislation, seeks to address an existing legal gap by introducing, for the first time, a clear framework governing the use of such devices. Under the proposal, dash cams will be permitted in private and professional vehicles, as well as in vehicles belonging to the wider public sector.
Their use will be allowed for:
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Protection of drivers in the event of an accident
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Documentation of traffic violations, accidents or criminal acts, and provision of evidence to the police
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Monitoring of professional vehicle fleets in cases of accidents or criminal activity
Data protection and penalties
A central aspect of the proposal is compliance with European and national data protection legislation. Recorded material must be used in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, with penalties предусмотрены in cases of violations.
Specifically, any person who breaches or fails to comply with the provisions commits an offence and, upon conviction, may face up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to €2,000, or both. The proposal also clarifies that recorded material may be used by police and insurance companies in the investigation of accidents or other incidents. However, public disclosure of such material without the consent of those involved is not permitted. It is further noted that recordings do not constitute standalone evidence in court but may be taken into account.
What the proposer says
According to the proposer of the bill, MP and president of the Ecologists Movement – Citizens’ Cooperation, Stavros Papadouris, dash cam technology already offers significant capabilities. He noted that recording can be triggered up to 30 seconds before an accident, strengthening the evidential value of the material.
“With full respect for personal data, this can help with traffic management, the prevention of criminal acts and other issues,” he said.
Link to traffic management
The proposed regulation is also expected to support the implementation of recent legislation on minor traffic accidents, which requires drivers to move their vehicles to avoid obstructing traffic. In practice, however, many drivers still fail to do so, either due to disputes over the circumstances of the accident or conflicting instructions, leading to congestion, particularly on major roads. In this context, dash cams could function as an additional tool to reduce disputes and facilitate faster handling of incidents, contributing to easing traffic congestion.