Twenty-seven people have been killed on Cyprus' roads since the start of 2026, with motorcyclists accounting for more than half of the fatalities, prompting renewed calls from police for greater road safety awareness and compliance with traffic laws.
The latest warning followed Sunday's fatal collision in which a 29-year-old motorcyclist lost his life.
Speaking to CNA, Police Spokesman Vyron Vyronos said road safety remained a major concern and urged drivers to follow traffic regulations and respect other road users.
"We urge the public to obey the Highway Code and respect other road users," he said.
He also called on motorists to remember that family members and loved ones are waiting for them at home.
Police data show that 14 of the 27 people killed on Cyprus' roads this year were travelling on two-wheeled vehicles. The overall death toll matches the figure recorded by August 23 last year.
A total of 45 people died in road collisions in 2025, the highest annual toll recorded in the past five years.
Vyronos said police continue to maintain a strong presence across the road network and carry out targeted operations in high-risk areas. The operations are based on analyses of the causes of fatal collisions and campaigns coordinated by the European Roads Policing Network, Roadpol.
A road safety campaign focusing on mobile phone use while driving is currently under way, reflecting concerns over distracted driving as a major contributing factor in fatal crashes.
Vyronos said further efforts were needed by police, state authorities and relevant organisations, alongside systematic road safety education from an early age.
He said the goal was to strengthen road safety awareness and cultivate a stronger road safety culture, particularly among younger people.
"There are no magic solutions," he said.
He added that police cannot be present on every road or predict every incident that may occur across the island.
Every driver and motorcyclist, he said, should recognise that they face risks whenever they use the road network, both from their own actions and those of others.
Vyronos said road collisions could never be eliminated entirely but stressed that their number, especially fatal crashes, could be substantially reduced.
According to police figures, careless driving, speeding and driver distraction, particularly the use of mobile phones behind the wheel, remain among the leading causes of fatal road collisions.
Police will continue road safety operations, Vyronos said, adding that their primary objective is prevention rather than punishment.
