This year, Cyprus recorded 33 fatalities in traffic accidents, police said on Wednesday, urging drivers to be cautious.
The data spans from the beginning of the year until Wednesday, six days before January 1, 2024, marking 33 fatalities from 31 collisions.
Police spokeswoman Eleni Constantinou reported that the Christmas period had two fatal collisions resulting in two fatalities. The first occurred last Friday afternoon in Limassol, claiming the life of a 54-year-old man from Pyrgos, Limassol.
On Christmas day, a 36-year-old resident of Cyprus, originally from Ukraine, lost his life in a traffic accident in Limassol. Additionally, a 57-year-old man from Yiolou was critically injured in a collision in Paphos on the same day.
Constantinou emphasised the active engagement of Cyprus Police in preventative measures, intensifying their presence on the roads during the Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany holidays. The objective is to ensure public safety, prevent fatal and serious accidents, and deter criminal activities.
She urged drivers to be extremely cautious, obey traffic signals, and follow the instructions of on-duty police officers. A zero-tolerance policy is in place during traffic stops, particularly for major violations such as speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to use seatbelts and protective helmets, Constantinou emphasised.
According to data by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), in 2022, Cyprus recorded 37 road fatalities while the island saw 45 deaths the year before.
Regarding anti-terrorism measures, Constantinou stated that motorised and foot patrols are in place for various potential targets. She reassured the public that, as of now, there is no information about a terrorist attack in Cyprus, and the Cyprus police are taking all necessary measures.
Assistant police director of operations in Paphos, Michalis Nicolaou, reported that from Friday to this morning, the Paphos police issued 230 traffic fines, with the majority related to driving under the influence of alcohol and excessive speeding. Of the 230 citations, 41 were related to driving under the influence of alcohol, two drivers were found to be driving under the influence of drugs, and 42 drivers were caught speeding.
In the last five days, a total of 12 traffic accidents occurred in the Paphos region, with nine involving only material damage.
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