Police are revamping road safety measures after a significant increase in traffic-related deaths this year, with officials particularly concerned about the high proportion of victims under 25 years old.
Road deaths have surged by 25% to 45 fatalities this year, compared to a record low of 33 deaths last year, according to traffic police data.
The spike includes two major collisions that claimed seven lives – a New Year’s Day crash in Limassol that killed an entire family of four, and a recent incident claiming three young lives.
Charris Evripidou, Assistant Director of the Traffic Department, said police are recommending increased fines for three critical violations: failure to wear seatbelts (from €150 to €200), helmet violations (from €200 to €250), and mobile phone use whilst driving (from €150 to €200). Repeat offenders within two years would face doubled penalties.
The police are also partnering with the Ministry of Education to introduce specialised road safety education in primary schools.
Additional measures include intensified urban area patrols using unmarked vehicles and potential repositioning of mobile speed cameras in high-risk zones.
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis emphasised that human error has been a crucial factor in recent fatal collisions.
He announced plans for a new Driver Training School, with tenders expected to be issued by year-end.
The victim was not wearing a seatbelt, and the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
The surge in fatalities has occurred despite previous safety measures implemented in September.
Police recorded 29 deaths until September, with 14 additional fatalities in less than two months.
These figures exclude deaths in British Base areas and four cases pending cause-of-death confirmation.
