Thousands of drivers fined since higher penalties enforced

Police have filed reports for over 2,360 traffic violations since October 1, when steeper penalties came into force as Cyprus scrambles to reduce its high rates of road deaths and accidents that are often the result of widespread reckless driving.

According to a police announcement, since October 1, traffic police issued a total of 2,363 out-of-court fines for traffic violations, 2,129 of which involved offences for which penalties shot upwards at the beginning of the month, such as speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, mobile phone use while driving, not wearing a seatbelt or helmet, running red lights, and unlawful parking.

Since October 1, police intensely monitoring road networks across Cyprus reported a total of 1,054 speeding violations, while 79 were booked for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 75 for driving while being distracted by a mobile phone.

Further, 87 tickets were issued against drivers and passengers who weren’t wearing a seatbelt, 11 against motorcycle drivers not wearing a helmet, and 28 against drivers running red lights.

A total of 234 tickets were issued for unlawful parking, 104 of which involved parking on pavements or pathways, while 23 involved parking in spots reserved for the disabled.

The police stressed that in addition to speeding, “the main factors that cause serious and fatal traffic accidents are also driving under the influence of alcohol, mobile phone use while driving, and the failure to wear a safety belt or a protective helmet.”