The government has little choice but to strengthen road safety measures and increase enforcement after four people died in traffic collisions yesterday, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said.
Speaking after a House Human Rights Committee meeting on Monday, Hartsiotis emphasised that human error played a decisive role in two recent fatal collisions, stressing the need to develop a broader road safety culture “starting from parents, teachers, and the state itself”.
“We will reassess everything from scratch, including the frequency of checks and penalties”, the minister said, adding that the state has already implemented measures across all sectors but will evaluate whether additional steps are needed.
The government is also moving forward with plans for a driver training school, with tenders expected to be issued before year-end and implementation scheduled for 2025. Initially, the school will cater to drivers whose licences have been suspended due to penalty points and those seeking to reduce their penalty points, as well as specific groups such as elderly drivers.
Responding to criticism about the effectiveness of traffic cameras, Hartsiotis defended the system, noting a decrease in violations at camera-monitored intersections. He emphasised that the state’s options for preventive and punitive measures are limited, making it essential to focus on both enforcement and education.
The training school could potentially be extended to other categories of drivers if the programme proves successful.
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