Newsroom
Cyprus is moving ahead with a series of new road safety initiatives, including the creation of a committee to review the country’s photo-enforcement system and faster procedures for suspending the licenses of drivers caught driving under the influence of drugs.
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeadis announced the measures after chairing a meeting of the Road Safety Council on Thursday. He said the committee examining the camera enforcement system will study the results of its operation so far and submit recommendations by March, with particular emphasis on tackling distracted driving and mobile phone use behind the wheel. According to the minister, police assessments of recent fatal crashes indicate that driver inattention, often linked to phone use, remains a major contributing factor.
In parallel, the government plans to strengthen driver education and ongoing training. Vafeadis said a broader reform package is being prepared with input from the Road Transport Department, the police and other relevant bodies. The aim is to create a more comprehensive training framework supported by improved infrastructure, including dedicated areas for instruction and for driving tests, which the minister said are currently carried out under unsuitable conditions.
One of the most immediate changes concerns drug-impaired driving. Vafeadis stated that responsibility for suspending licenses of drivers arrested for driving under the influence of narcotics will be transferred to the Chief of Police, allowing licenses to be withdrawn on the spot. The minister said this would remove dangerous drivers from the road network more quickly, replacing procedures that could previously take more than a week.
Authorities are also preparing new measures aimed at protecting vulnerable road users. With 17 motorcyclists and nine pedestrians killed last year, a separate committee has been tasked with drafting an action plan based on police proposals, with additional announcements expected later.
A legislative amendment is also being prepared to make reflective safety markings mandatory for delivery workers who ride motorcycles and electric bicycles. The ministry intends to require reflective vests and reflective strips on helmets, despite voluntary cooperation already shown by delivery companies.
On the issue of high-speed electric bicycles that exceed legal limits, Vafeadis said police are already carrying out enforcement operations to identify such vehicles and remove them from circulation, in line with existing law.
The minister also addressed public concerns raised by a Road Transport Department warning about defective airbags reported in the United States. He said the cases involve Chinese-made airbags and that, based on available information, these products are not currently found in Cyprus. However, the department is informing the public and automotive professionals as a precaution, in case any such airbags have been imported.
Finally, Vafeadis announced that the Road Safety Council will honor Lena Katelari and Alexis Dimitriou for their long-standing contribution to road safety education, particularly among young and vulnerable groups. They will be named honorary lifetime road safety ambassadors during a road safety conference to be held on 13 March as part of Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency.
