The Ministers of Transport and Justice are examining immediate interventions to reduce fatal collisions after it was found that 19 of the 43 accidents in 2025 were linked to driver inattention.
According to the Cyprus News Agency, speaking following Friday's meeting of the Road Safety Council, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades said that drivers’ lack of attention, is a factor likely connected to mobile phone use. On his part, Minister of Justice and Public Order, Konstantinos Fitiris who also participated said this was his first participation in a very constructive meeting of the Road Safety Council, which will continue in January rather than in two months, because the measures required must be taken immediately. Specific measures will be implemented to curb mobile phone use while driving.
Vafeades explained that the Road Safety Council had given the Police the opportunity to make a detailed presentation on fatal accidents on the road network for 2025.
The Minister emphasised that the Government is particularly concerned with managing this issue to drastically reduce such incidents and to return to the path of achieving the target of a 50 per cent or greater reduction in fatal road collisions by 2030.
“What I want to stress is that, out of the 43 fatal accidents, the Police can definitively indicate that 19 resulted from drivers’ lack of attention. I personally interpret this as potential mobile phone use. This is a scourge for our country. We may have lost 19 of our fellow citizens due to mobile phone use, and this is unacceptable,” he said.
Vafeades added that the relevant committees have been asked to return in January so that the discussion at the Road Safety Council can continue, with proposals and measures submitted to suppress this phenomenon. “It must stop, and we all have to accept that using a mobile phone while driving puts ourselves, our families, and everyone else on the road at risk,” he added.
Asked about other causes of fatal accidents, the Minister said there are certainly additional factors. He noted that in 2025 there were five incidents involving drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“I do not want to underestimate these circumstances, as they will also be addressed. What I am highlighting is that 19 of the 43 accidents relate to mobile phones, which is a huge number and a trend that must be curtailed. At the same time, we will continue to work on detecting and preventing driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” he said.
Regarding a legislative proposal by MP Chrysanthos Savvidis on alcohol consumption by young drivers, Vafeades said the Government supports it. “We believe that we must protect young people by implementing such legislation. Any other measures will be included in separate legislation,” he said.
Minister of Justice and Public Order Konstantinos Fitiris said the Ministry through the Police, will take all necessary measures in collaboration with the Department of Road Transport and other services, in terms of both personnel and technology, to minimise accidents. "This is a key policy priority because society must not mourn further road victims,” he said.
When asked to comment on the decision not to fine drivers who cross the line at camera-controlled traffic lights in the presence of an ambulance, the Minister of Justice said this is a measure that the Police will implement, taking all recommendations into account. “The right action will be taken, but safely, for both ambulances and citizens. We must always find the optimal solution under the circumstances,” he added.
Source: CNA