Alarm mode has set in on road safety as the numbers are not good, with 27 deaths in accidents over eight months, much higher than the whole of last year and four months still to go, as the Traffic Department has announced it will be taking drastic action.
More intensive, targeted patrols and checks are on the way, coupled with increasing public awareness campaigns for both drivers and pedestrians.
While the traffic camera system appears to have been effective, reducing the number of drivers being killed in road accidents, there’s been a rise of fatalities amongst pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Deputy head of Traffic Department Charis Evripidou told Philenews that a comprehensive analysis of all relevant data has clearly indicated that ‘the primary cause of road accidents involving cars, is the use of mobile phones’ and police will be working with this statistic in mind as it launches campaigns over the next few weeks.
There have been 24 fatal road collisions this year resulting in 27 deaths (including the quadruple fatality on New Year’s Day in Limassol), compared to 17 deaths during the same period last year.
This rise is mainly due to pedestrian and motorcyclist fatalities. Seven pedestrians have lost their lives this year, with Evripidou noting that five were at fault as they failed to take the necessary precautions while crossing the road, an issue that will be addressed during awareness campaigns.
Seven motorcyclists have been killed and the Traffic Department will also be focusing on informing this vulnerable group about the risks involved and increasing monitoring on the highways and major city arteries and junctions.
As police admitted, both pedestrians and motorcyclists are not effectively monitored by traffic cameras and other measures are needed to educate them on how to cross central avenues and what rules they need to follow.
A number of motorcyclists don’t make it easier on themselves, as they alter their registration numbers or do not display them at all, making monitoring ineffective. “Camera enforcement,” Evripidou added, “has at least contributed to reducing vehicle-involved fatalities, with speeding decreased.
As noted from a monthly analysis, drivers lose their lives primarily due to careless and negligent driving, including the use of mobile phones. ‘Half of the vehicle fatalities were due to mobile phone use’, Evripidou disclosed, with drivers either talking or sending a text message.
Nicosia tops tragic list
Most fatal accidents have occurred without a second vehicle involved, indicating driver distraction. Eight fatal accidents happened in Nicosia, 7 in Larnaca, 5 in Limassol, 2 in Famagusta and one in the Paphos and Morphou districts.
Out of the 27 deaths, seven were European or third country nationals, six of which permanent residents of Cyprus. A tourist was killed when his quad bike overturned in the Akamas area.
13 drivers or passengers not wearing seat belts
The driver mentality of blatantly ignoring the ‘buckle in’, is still strong on the roads, with 13 of the victims, both drivers and passengers, not wearing a seat belt. According to the Deputy Head of Traffic, five might have survived with their seatbelts on, as their vehicles only sustained minor damage.
Most fatal collisions were in residential areas, unlike other EU countries, were the overwhelming number of deaths occur on highways.
On a positive note, this year saw no cyclist or scooter driver fatalities, compared to one cyclist and one scooter rider in 2023, and four cyclists killed in 2022.
