Newsroom
If you're driving between Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca or Ayia Napa over the next two weeks and notice a drone flying alongside the motorway, there's no need for concern.
The Department of Public Works has announced that operational drone flights will take place from Monday, June 29, to Thursday, July 9, between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., to collect traffic data on some of Cyprus' busiest roads.
The surveys will cover selected sections of three major motorways:
- The Nicosia–Limassol motorway, from the Alambra exit to the Kornos exit.
- The Nicosia–Larnaca motorway, from the Lympia exit to the Rizoelia roundabout.
- The Larnaca Airport–Ayia Napa motorway, from the Rizoelia junction to the Xylofagou exit.
Why are drones being used?
Rather than relying solely on traffic counters or cameras, officials are using drones to gain a clearer picture of how vehicles move along these busy routes.
The information gathered will help engineers better understand traffic flow, identify congestion hotspots, and support future road planning and infrastructure improvements.
For the average driver, that could eventually translate into better-designed roads, smoother traffic management, and more informed decisions on future upgrades.
No impact on traffic
The Department of Public Works said the drones will fly parallel to the motorway, above the roadside embankments and away from the main traffic lanes, meaning drivers should not experience any disruption.
Motorists may still notice the drones while traveling, particularly on open stretches of road, but the flights are purely for data collection.
What about privacy?
With drones increasingly visible in everyday life, some drivers may wonder whether they are being filmed.
The department stressed that all data collected will be processed in full compliance with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring the protection of personal information.
In other words, the focus is on traffic patterns, not on identifying individual drivers or passengers.
For thousands of commuters who use these motorways every day, the short-term sight of a drone overhead could help pave the way for smarter transport planning and, ultimately, a smoother journey in the years ahead.
