The Limassol-Paphos highway is the most dangerous for accidents due to water accumulation, according to an answer by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, to a question by DISY MP Nikos Georgiou.
Although the minister, due to lack of competence, did not answer the aspect of the question concerning the number of traffic accidents recorded on the motorways of Cyprus, he informs Mr. Georgiou that the problems are created due to the local accumulation of rainwater in areas where there is a combination of a concave bend in a longitudinal section with a clockwise turn in a horizontal.
As Mr. Vafeadis explains, in individual cases, local points can be created with zero longitudinal and wide slope, resulting in no satisfactory rainwater runoff.
Furthermore, the minister states that since 2010 the problem (water concentration) has been investigated on all highways and 20 cases had been identified, most of which were on the Limassol - Paphos highway.
Mr. Vafeadis adds that depending on the case, rainwater drainage support measures were taken, such as the construction of water collection grates along and the enlargement of the opening in the safety parapets. According to the Minister of Transport, the measures have brought significant results by minimizing the problems.
The minister announces that special importance is given to the control of the sensitive points of the highways before the start of the winter season for cleaning grates, canals, etc.
Finally, the Minister of Transport indicates that based on the Road Traffic Code, in case of rainfall, drivers must drive "defensively" by keeping a distance from vehicles in front and driving at a correspondingly reduced speed.
