Newsroom
Anyone who has been stuck in Cyprus traffic knows the frustration: you’re trying to get to work, drop the kids off at school, or make an appointment, and suddenly everything comes to a standstill.
Now, after a truck overturned on the Nicosia-Limassol highway this week, a transport expert is raising a question many drivers have probably asked themselves while sitting in a long queue: should heavy trucks be allowed on busy highways during peak hours?
Civil engineer and transport specialist Neofytos Zavridis has suggested banning trucks above a certain weight limit from using major highways during the busiest parts of the day.
Speaking to CNA after Thursday’s accident near the Dali industrial area, where a truck overturned and spilled a large amount of gravel onto the road, Zavridis said Cyprus could adopt a measure already used in many other countries.
His proposal? Heavy trucks could be restricted from using main highways from around 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., the hours when most people are traveling to work, taking children to school, or returning home.
'It doesn't make sense for these trucks to be there'
Zavridis said trucks carrying construction materials, tankers, and other heavy loads could instead use the older Category B road network, where possible.
“The main roads are where the biggest traffic volume is,” he said, explaining that these routes are mainly used by everyday commuters.
During peak hours, he argued, heavy vehicles create additional risks and can worsen traffic problems.
“It doesn’t make sense for these vehicles to be on these roads,” he said.
However, he added that exceptions could still be made when necessary. In such cases, trucks could travel with police permission and a patrol vehicle escorting them.
A highway brought to a standstill
The discussion comes after Thursday’s crash on the Limassol-Nicosia highway, which caused major disruption for thousands of drivers.
The truck overturned near the Dali industrial area, spilling a large amount of gravel across the road and forcing authorities to close both lanes.
The highway remained closed from around 5:15 p.m. until shortly after 11 p.m., leaving drivers heading toward Limassol searching for alternative routes.
Traffic was diverted onto the old Nicosia-Limassol road through the exit after the Latsia weigh station, causing further delays.
Government plans faster emergency response
The seven-hour traffic disruption also prompted action from the Ministry of Justice, which said the incident highlighted the need for faster responses when serious problems occur on Cyprus’ motorways.
The ministry announced that it is moving ahead with the creation of special rapid response teams in every province, involving the police, fire service, and, when needed, specialized private companies.
The aim is to clear obstacles faster and reopen roads as quickly as possible after accidents or other incidents.
The ministry also said it will secure the necessary funding to properly equip these teams, based on the needs identified by the police and fire service.
At the same time, it stressed the importance of keeping drivers informed immediately through the media and social media, while the traffic police will strengthen plans for traffic diversions and safe alternative routes.
A familiar problem for Cyprus drivers
Heavy vehicles on Cyprus roads have long been a source of debate, especially as construction activity continues and more trucks transport materials across the island.
For many drivers, the question is not whether trucks are necessary; they are essential for the economy, but whether they should share the busiest roads with thousands of commuters at the busiest times of the day.
With experts calling for preventive measures and authorities focusing on faster emergency responses, the debate over how Cyprus manages its roads is gaining new momentum.
