The numbers are frightening for motorcyclists victims of road collisions, since almost one in two dead this year is a two-wheeler driver. Yesterday's meeting of the Road Safety Council brings measures for motorcyclists to stop the heavy toll of blood on the asphalt.
According to data from the Traffic Police submitted to the Council, out of the 15 dead this year, seven are motorcyclists. The five were drivers, a passenger and a moped driver. Another dead person was riding an electric scooter. The other victims were: Two pedestrians, four vehicle drivers and a passenger. Compared to last year, this year we count two more deaths.
The issue of cameras and the intention of the Traffic Department in the Police to proceed with two moves that will reduce deaths due to mobile phone use while driving but also due to speeding were also raised at the Road Safety Council. Information from "F" states that one issue is related to the intention to install fixed cameras on the highways, at every beginning and end, in order to record the speed of entry and exit and to get the average. If it is found that a vehicle travels the distance in a shorter time than the calculated average permissible speed, then it will immediately be served with an out-of-court order.
Also, studies are being carried out so that fixed cameras record the use of a mobile phone while driving as a separate offense. Today, in order for a driver to be reported for using a mobile phone, he must first be reported for violating the speed limit or the red light. Because careless and negligent driving is currently the first cause of fatal road collisions, studies are being carried out so that the cameras only record driving with a mobile phone in hand. To make this possible, it is examined what applies abroad and whether the system is compatible.
In the meantime, the urgent need to upgrade road safety for motorcyclists, was stressed yesterday by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeadis, after the meeting of the Road Safety Council. As he mentioned, a package of measures focused on the safety of motorcyclists was decided, such as the launch of a campaign to control all maintenance carried out on motorcycles through the Private Vehicle Technical Inspection Centers (IKTEA), the subsidy of safety equipment and the withdrawal of old motorcycles.
The measures that will be promoted immediately, were undertaken by the competent safety committee to record them, evaluate them and come with suggestions to be adopted by the competent Ministries, said Mr. Vafeadis, after the meeting in the presence of the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, representatives of the Police and Public Works and the president of the Cyprus Motorcycle Federation and road safety ambassador, Adonis Christofides.
Among the measures being discussed are the sponsorship for the purchase of safety equipment, the possible withdrawal of old motorcycles that do not have the necessary safety mechanisms and the start of a campaign to control all maintenance done on motorcycles through IKTEON.
According to the Minister of Transport, of the seven dead motorcyclists this year, four were proven not to be wearing a helmet and "there is also the possibility that 6 of the 7 were not wearing a helmet, because it was found on the side", at the scene of the accident.
He also said that one of the problems is that a motorcycle may not be well maintained and this, unfortunately, will contribute to the improper management of an incident, which ends in a very serious accident. He added that "we will also pursue this issue to see if the mechanics are doing the maintenance of the motorcycles properly or not". Asked how the mechanics will be checked for proper maintenance of the motorcycles, Mr. Vafeadis said that the Department of Road Transport keeps a register for the IKTEO and there will be a campaign in which there will be an audit of what the IKTEO monitor, what went through and what happens the next day. He said that a similar campaign was carried out when there were problems with the buses and cases had been identified in which the legislation had not been properly implemented in terms of the checks that the engineers had to do.
Suggestions for immediate, medium and long-term actions
At the same time, at the meeting of the Road Safety Council, the issue of helmets and possible new specifications and how to help motorcyclists get a helmet and protect themselves was raised. "It is something that is in the budget of the Ministry and it is just a matter of deciding the specifications and announcing it," added Mr. Vafeadis.
Asked if there will be a campaign in English for those who do not know Greek, Mr. Vafeadis replied in the affirmative, saying that this is necessary because we have many foreigners in Cyprus who ride motorcycles and the message must reach them as well.
The president of the Cyprus Motorcycle Federation, Adonis Christofides, who participated in the meeting and for this year is the road safety ambassador, described as "very important to offer our expertise in terms of improving the road safety of motorcycles in Cyprus" and added that they conveyed the clear views they have. "We see that the authorities of the state are willing to respond so that we can take substantial measures to deal with the problem" and expressed confidence that with our cooperation we will be able to bring significant results. Mr. Christofides said that these are suggestions that concern immediate actions, but also medium and long-term actions, so that we can aim to deal with the issue with a comprehensive policy.
Not a profession with a student licence
One of the measures promoted by the government also concerns the issue of riding a motorcycle for professional purposes by people who only hold a student license. As such are the delivery men, many of whom do not hold a professional motorcycle driver's license. As Mr. Vafeadis announced, very soon we will have a decision of the Council of Ministers to begin the implementation of the legislation that will prohibit student license holders from practicing a profession. The six-month period, which was extended, is ending and all motorcycle drivers will have to implement some elementary safety issues, the minister said.
In turn, the president of the Cyprus Motorcycle Federation said that "we must start treating motorcycles with the same lens", adding that motorcycles should not be distinguished between large and small displacement.
