Filenews 6 March 2021 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
More than one in two drivers tested for a drug test by traffic police this year tested positive, raising strong concerns about the scale of the problem on Cypriot roads.
According to data provided to "F" by the Director of the Traffic Department at the Police Headquarters Giannakis Georgiou, last year a total of 1,200 narco-tests were carried out with 884 positive, i.e. two out of three checked were found to be at the wheel while previously using addictive substances. This year, between January and February, 300 checks were carried out and 162 people were found to be under the influence of drugs. That is, more than one in two tested tested tested positive for drug use. In accordance with the procedures followed by the Traffic Police, after a person positive for substance use is identified while driving, a criminal record is formed and taken to court, while during the duration of the criminal prosecution, the driver's licence of the affected person is suspended and thus prevented from being on the road network.
The Traffic Director expressed his concern about these figures and the results of the targeted checks and that is why instructions were given as they increased.
It is noted that the majority of drivers under the influence of drugs are aged 20 - 35 years, while the first substance detected after relevant analyses of the State Chemistry is cannabis followed by other more dangerous substances, such as cocaine. According to Mr Georgiou, there is a task force at police headquarters that carries out the targeted checks, as he knows exactly which driver should be tested. For example, if a driver does not stop for testing and develops speed, when he is stopped and his behaviour is found to be suspicious, then he is subjected to a narco test. There are also other characteristics found in a guide (such as constriction of the eye sockets) to determine whether to undergo a substance detection test.
Another major problem facing traffic despite the increase in penalties is speeding. As the traffic warden said, over the past year many drivers have been spotted speeding and taken to court and ended up either in jail or paid a hefty fine. The worst, he said, is the combination of drugs and alcohol from drivers. In fact, the problem of speeding is the only one that has not been reduced despite the increase in penalties, while the other traffic offences show a significant reduction.
19-year-old was running at 177km without permission and safety
A typical incident that occurred during the traffic checks occurred around 2.00 the day before noon, on the Larnaca – Ayia Napa highway, in the area of Xylophagos, where members of the local Police Station spotted a 19-year-old driving a car at a speed of 177 km. It was subsequently established that the 19-year-old did not hold a driving licence and was not covered by an insurance certificate. A passenger in the vehicle was its 25-year-old owner, who was also charged after allowing the 19-year-old to drive the vehicle without a driver's license and without an insurance certificate.
In Limassol, ten minutes after midnight, members of the Limassol Traffic Police stopped for inspection a car driven by a 40-year-old man, on Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, violating the red light at the intersection with George Averof Street. The 40-year-old, who did not have a seatbelt, was subjected to a driving test under the influence of alcohol, with a final reading of 85μg, instead of 9μg which is the permitted limit for young and new drivers. The 40-year-old obtained a driver's license a year ago.
