An awareness campaign on the driving and rest hours of professional drivers has been underway since 9 March and will run until 22 March.
In a letter sent to the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB), the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE), and the trade unions SEK, PEO, DEOK and POVEK, the Director of the Department of Labour Relations, Antis Apostolou, stated that during the period 9–22 March 2026 an information campaign will take place targeting drivers, transport companies and the public, focusing on the key provisions of legislation governing drivers’ working hours and rest periods.
As he noted, during the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Department of Labour Relations conducted more than 1,300 inspections of professional drivers and identified violations related to driving and rest hours, breaks and other regulations. In response, the department issued compliance recommendations and, where necessary, referred criminal cases to the competent courts.
“These violations are considered serious because they increase fatigue and the likelihood of road accidents, while also undermining drivers’ working conditions,” the letter states.
Study Findings Raise Alarm
The results of a survey conducted among drivers in EU member states by the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) are described as alarming.
According to the study:
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24% of bus drivers and 30% of truck drivers reported that they had fallen asleep at least once while driving.
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31% of bus drivers and 26% of truck drivers said they had nearly been involved in an accident due to fatigue.
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5% of bus drivers and 3% of truck drivers reported that they had actually been involved in an accident caused by fatigue.
In an effort to effectively address these issues, the Department of Labour Relations has designed and is implementing measures in cooperation with other relevant authorities, including the Police, the Department of Road Transport, and the Electromechanical Services Department.
Among other initiatives, awareness actions have been scheduled to inform professional drivers and transport companies about key provisions of the legislation. These include an information and awareness campaign targeting drivers, company managers and the wider public through radio, websites and social media platforms.