The number of people who have died on Cypriot roads since the beginning of 2026 has risen to 26, with more than half being motorcyclists, while the Police are intensifying their actions and campaigns aimed at preventing fatal road collisions.
On the occasion of yesterday's fatal car accident, with the victim being a 26-year-old motorcyclist, the Police Spokesman, Byron Vyronos, appealed to drivers to comply with the Road Traffic Code and to realize that every moment they are on the road network their lives are in danger and spoke about the goal of cultivating "road awareness and a culture of road consciousness", noting at the same time that "there are no magic solutions".
"We appeal to the public to abide by the Highway Code, to comply with the rules and laws and to respect the rest of the road users," he said, while calling on drivers to keep in mind that "a person is waiting for them at home".
According to the available data, of the 26 dead in 2026, 14 were on a two-wheeler, a number that corresponds to more than 50% of the total number of victims. The particularly high participation of motorcyclists in the toll of fatal collisions is one of the most important parameters of this year's picture on Cypriot roads.
This year had started with particularly negative data, as by the end of March 11 fatal road collisions had been recorded. The number of victims rose to 17 in the first five months, while in mid-June it had reached 19 and in August it exceeded 25, with yesterday's accident bringing the total toll to 26.
The situation remains particularly worrying compared to 2025, the year in which the highest death toll in the last five years was recorded, with a total of 45 people losing their lives on Cypriot roads. During the corresponding period of 2025, until August 23, 27 deaths had been recorded, compared to 26 this year.
Mr. Byron said that the Police has a "strong presence on the road network", while carrying out campaigns and targeted policing in areas assessed as high risk.
As he explained, the actions of the Police are determined based on the Force's assessments regarding the causes of fatal collisions, but also the program of the European traffic network Roadpol.
This week, as he said, a campaign against the use of mobile phones while driving is underway, which is "one of the factors of high risk and causing fatal road accidents".
Asked what is needed in order to limit the use of mobile phones and in general anything that distracts drivers, the Police Spokesperson noted that an even greater effort is required from both the Police and other bodies, as well as systematic training, especially of young people, from an early age.
The goal, as he said, is to cultivate "road awareness and a culture of road consciousness".
"There are no magic solutions," Mr. Byron stressed, noting that the Police cannot be on all roads and predict anything that may happen throughout Cyprus.
"If each of us, at the time of taking the wheel of a car, motorcycle, moped or even electric scooter, does not realize that our lives are in danger at any time, not only from our own actions but also from others who use the road network, the problem of fatal traffic accidents cannot be solved to a large extent," he said.
Mr. Byron underlined that the goal cannot be to achieve zero accidents, but to substantially reduce road collisions and, above all, fatalities.
"We cannot solve the issue in its entirety, that is, to have zero accidents, but if anything, to reduce collisions and especially fatal road collisions," he said.
Police data show that careless driving, speeding and distraction, particularly due to mobile phone use, continue to be key factors linked to fatal collisions.
At the same time, the high percentage of young drivers among the victims is of particular concern, with Cyprus recording a consistently high performance in the deaths of drivers under the age of 24 at European level.
The comparison with 2025 shows a marginal decrease in the number of victims during the corresponding period, from 27 to 26. However, the difference of one death does not substantially change the overall picture, as both years moved at particularly high levels in the first eight months.
2026, in fact, is characterized by the particularly high ratio of motorcyclists among the victims, as 14 of the 26 dead were on a two-wheeler.
The Police, according to its Spokesman, will continue their actions, with Mr. Byron underlining that the ultimate goal is "prevention, not complaint".
"We all need to realize the responsibility we have when we use the road network", is essentially the message of the Police, as this year's death toll brings the issue of road safety in Cyprus back to the fore in a strong way.
CNA
