TRAGIC TOLL - THE DEATH TOLL FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS RISES TO 11 BEFORE THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR - MAIN CAUSESS MOBILE PHONE AND SPEED - Filenews 26/3 by Michalis Chatzivasilis
Eleven fatal accidents have been recorded this year, a very sad omen especially if it is noted that almost all of the victims were vulnerable road users.
With the unjust loss of the 53-year-old the day before yesterday in Aradippou after a head-on collision, the death toll this year in road collisions amounted to 11, four more than last year in the same period. In addition to this negative development, from the analysis of the data, it seems that this year, as last year, motorcyclists continue to pay a heavy death toll.
In 2025, 13 motorcyclists were killed, which is equivalent to almost 1/3 of the victims on the asphalt. This year, we have not yet completed the first quarter and three motorcyclists have been killed. If one dead moped plus one person riding an electric scooter is also counted, then five of the 11 dead this year were two-wheeler drivers. This negative fact that was observed last year is of particular concern to the Traffic Police, which has given a lot of priority to its actions to prevent accidents, especially fatal ones, with the involvement of motorcyclists. As reported to us by the Traffic Department, campaigns are often carried out either to control or inform motorcyclists, while there is constant contact with professional motorcyclist organizations about the measures that should be taken to protect their lives.
At the same time, another shocking element deserves special attention, since four other victims this year were pedestrians. This is a replication of last year's situation that continues this year, where the majority of accident victims, except motorcyclists, are pedestrians, who were hit by passing vehicles while trying to cross a road within the cities.
Furthermore, from the first analysis of fatal road collisions, the data show that the first cause of their cause is negligent and careless driving attributed to the use of a mobile phone. It has been proven by the analyses of the fatalities that at the time of a collision that results in the loss of life, either the victim or the driver involved was using his mobile phone at that moment. This finding has been made since 2024, which is why the Traffic Police readjusted its controls to combat the phenomenon of mobile phone use while driving, with the result that complaints are increasing every year. The second cause of deaths on the roads this year is the use of alcohol or drugs along with the right turn. Speeding completes the quartet of causes for which lives are lost unnecessarily.
As we are informed by the Traffic Police, the use of mobile phones has been the main cause of deaths on the roads in other EU member states in the last year, a fact that worries the competent bodies of the Union and comprehensive measures to reduce deaths are being promoted. Today, all new vehicles sold have a system by which a mobile phone is connected to it and so one hand of the driver does not have to be busy. The problem, however, is that many either exchange messages while driving, or try to answer a mobile phone, resulting in their distraction and the inevitable happens.
With this data, the Traffic Police is intensifying its efforts to prevent road collisions and reduce fatalities, however, drivers should also comply with the Road Traffic Code.
In the meantime, while the death toll on the streets is increasing, the Parliament seems not to consent to the release of the fund, so that the photoradar list can work. This list would operate at checkpoints and Police Stations and would allow the Police to serve the unserved out-of-court notices from the cameras, to Turkish Cypriots but also to those who enter and leave the occupied territories or visit Police Stations. A relevant request for the release of the fund had been submitted by the Ministry of Finance to the Finance Committee of the Parliament. The Committee also came to an agreement with the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and it seems, according to information from "F", that there is not the necessary consensus for the release of the fund.
