HATC SAMPLE EDITION:    Politics & Foreign Relations    Economic News    Business News    Other News of Interest    All stories	24th April, 2025 Ministry rejects use of traffic cameras for fines The Interior Ministry has rejected a proposal by Dávid Vitézy to allow number plate recognition cameras to issue fines for traffic violations, such as blocking public transport or driving in bus lanes. Vitézy, a former Budapest mayoral candidate, criticised the decision, calling it absurd that facial recognition can be used to fine protestors, but number plate cameras cannot be used to penalise drivers obstructing buses or trams. The Budapest city council had referred the proposal last autumn, but Interior Minister Sándor Pintér denied the request. As a result, cameras on buses and trams will still not be used for automated enforcement of traffic rules such as ignoring red lights, making illegal turns, or unauthorised use of bus lanes. Vitézy noted that municipalities previously had this power, but it was revoked during István Tarlós’s mayoralty. Since then, municipal police can only issue fines in person. Sources regularly consulted, with abbreviations used in text: Népszabadság (N); Magyar Hírlap (MH); Világgazdaság (VG); Napi Gazdaság (NG); Magyar Nemzet (MN); Népszava (Nsz); Kossuth Rádió news (KR); nightly TV news (TV).
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