Cyprus has seen an increase in road fatalities this year, following a record decrease in 2023.
Last year, alongside Poland, Cyprus achieved the EU’s largest reduction in road deaths.
Last year, road fatalities in Cyprus fell to an unprecedented low of 33, marking a 36 per cent decrease. This reduction, combined with an 18 per cent drop in 2022, helped achieve the decade’s target of halving road deaths for 2021-2030.
However, current figures show 43 deaths this year, representing a 25 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. Statistically, this equates to one fatal accident every seven days.
This figure excludes today’s incident involving a 79-year-old woman in Limassol, pending investigation into the cause of death.
The Traffic Department and Public Works note that seven people died in just two accidents this year. One incident on New Year’s Day in Limassol claimed four members of the same family, whilst another crash yesterday resulted in three young people losing their lives.
The severity of the situation is highlighted by recent statistics: whilst there were 29 fatalities until September, the death toll has risen to 43, with 14 lives lost in less than two months.
These figures exclude deaths within British Base areas and four additional road-related fatalities still under investigation to determine whether they resulted from accidents or medical conditions.
Measures agreed upon at the Road Safety Council meeting on 11 September, when deaths were already increasing, have proven insufficient. These included intensified policing and targeted awareness campaigns.
Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and motorcyclists, remain at high risk. Despite the full implementation of the photo enforcement system, which contributed to reduced fatalities in 2022 and 2023, the current surge in deaths suggests the need for a comprehensive review of road safety measures.
