Filenews 31 March 2025 - by Michalis Hadjivasillis
Cyprus recorded an impressive 43% reduction in serious road injuries during the decade 2013-2023, in contrast to the average in EU countries which was only 13%.
Also, our country recorded the 2nd largest average annual decrease in the EU, after Romania.
These figures are reported in the 48th report of the European Transport Safety Council's (ETSC) Road Safety PIN (Performance Index) programme, which was released today on serious road injuries.
In addition, Cyprus recorded the largest decrease in minor injuries during the same decade 2013 – 2023.
According to the report, the reduction in serious injuries was only 13 percent, while the corresponding reduction in deaths was 16 percent.
As mentioned, the 13% reduction is far from the 50% target for the decade 2020-2030.
At the same time, it is emphasized that every year about 1,291,000 road injuries are recorded in the EU, of which141,000 are serious.
A large proportion of serious injuries cause permanent disabilities and other serious lifelong problems.
In Cyprus, 226 serious road injuries were recorded in 2024, based on the national definition.
Given that there are significant differences in the definition of serious injury between Member States, the EU has established the MAIS3+ hospital definition, to ensure that it is comparable between states.
Another reason for the adoption of MAIS3+ is the incomplete recording of all injuries by the Police in some countries.
In Cyprus, there is no problem in recording road injuries, especially serious ones.
According to our country's representative in the Road Safety PIN program, Cyprus has started systematically recording serious road injuries with the MAIS3+ classification, since 2017.
Recognising the magnitude of the social and economic problems caused by serious road injuries, the EU has set a target of reducing road deaths by 50% from 2020 to 2030, as is the target for road deaths.
Cyprus has set out the same targets in the National Road Safety Strategic Plan 2021-2030.
The distribution of serious injuries among the different categories of road users varies from country to country.
On average, however, throughout the EU, 35% of serious injuries involve car occupants (24% drivers and 11% passengers).
The percentage of 25% that concerns cyclists is very disproportionate, while the corresponding percentage in cyclist deaths amounts to 10%.
Cyprus records the same percentages as the EU average in terms of car occupants, but only 4% for cyclists.
There is also a large difference in the distribution of serious injuries by gender, ranging for males from 81% in Greece to 55% in Estonia.
The EU average for males is 66%. In Cyprus, this figure is 73%.
According to the report, in order to address the problem and to achieve the goal of reducing serious injuries, the adoption of the "Safe System" approach is required.
This approach recognises the vulnerability of the human body and aims to create a road safety system that minimises the risks of road deaths and serious injuries.
The key elements of the Secure System include:
• Safe speeds. Speed management at levels suitable for the road environment and the vulnerability of road users.
• Safe roads. Design and maintenance of road infrastructure, in order to limit the risk of causing collisions and minimize the severity of injuries.
• Safe vehicles. Promotion of technology in vehicles, which prevents collisions and protects occupants and vulnerable road users in the event of a collision.
• Safe road users. Encouraging responsible road behaviour, through education, policing/enforcement and incentives.
• Effective response after a road collision. Ensuring timely and effective response and medical care, to reduce the consequences of conflicts.
