Three drivers were arrested overnight in Nicosia and Limassol after being involved in road collisions, with breath tests showing they were over the legal alcohol limit. In Paphos, a 17-year-old learner driver tested positive in a preliminary drug test while driving without a licensed driver beside him. Police say that almost one in four fatal road collisions in Cyprus between 2021 and 2025 was linked to alcohol or drugs.
Three-car collision in Idalion
According to police, the first incident happened shortly after 7pm on Saturday. A 48-year-old driver on Nicosia Avenue, in the Idalion industrial area, crashed into the car in front of him, which had stopped at a red traffic light. The impact pushed that car into a third vehicle ahead of it.
Officers who arrived at the scene breath-tested the 48-year-old. The final reading was 78μg, against the legal limit of 22μg. He was arrested for an offence subject to immediate arrest.
Lamp post knocked down in Limassol
Shortly before midnight, a second collision took place in Limassol, near the Mesa Geitonia roundabout. According to police, a 35-year-old driver lost control of his car and crashed into a metal lamp post, which fell onto the road.
The 35-year-old gave a positive preliminary breath test reading of 92μg, against the limit of 22μg. He was then taken to the Limassol Traffic Police offices for a final test but failed to provide a satisfactory sample, and was arrested.
Driver left the scene in Egkomi
The third incident was recorded at 12.30am on Sunday on Grivas Digenis Avenue in Egkomi. According to police, an 18-year-old driver collided with another car, whose driver left the scene.
Shortly afterwards, Nicosia Traffic Police officers traced the vehicle involved and found that it was being driven by a 45-year-old man. He was given a final breath test, which showed a reading of 80μg, against the limit of 22μg, and he was arrested.
Learner driver, 17, tests positive for drugs
At around 8.40pm on Saturday, Paphos Traffic Police officers stopped a car in the town centre after it had ignored a traffic sign.
Checks showed that the driver was a 17-year-old with a learner’s licence, who was driving without a licensed person accompanying him. According to police, the car was not covered by valid insurance, and it had neither a renewed road tax licence nor a valid roadworthiness (MOT) certificate. Other traffic offences were also recorded.
The 17-year-old was given a preliminary drug test, which came back positive, and his licence was confiscated.
Police warning
Police stress that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a serious threat to road safety. They said they will continue intensive checks to prevent collisions and improve road safety.
