The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr. During a press conference organised by Trust Insurance Cyprus for the presentation of its initiative "Be a responsible driver, for you and others", in the framework of which it will provide free random alcohol tests to drivers. The aim of the insurance company's action is to cultivate road awareness and inculcate good behaviour on the road network.
Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Karousos referred to the data from road collisions, noting that for the period 2017-2021, 30% of victims of road collisions were motorcyclists or moped riders. Specifically, in 2021, 14 of the 45 deaths recorded in the country from road collisions involved motorcyclists/motorcyclists or motorcycle passengers. The percentage of motorcyclist injuries in 2021 is also quite high, with 47.34% of total road traffic collision injuries involving serious injuries and 29.33% involving minor injuries to motorcyclists. The figures so far for 2022 are also worrying, the Transport Minister said, with the number of fatal road collisions so far reaching 2018 levels.
With a view to reversing the negative data, the Ministry of Transport is promoting legislation concerning, among other things, motorcyclists. In particular, changes are being promoted such as strengthening the protective equipment to be worn by motorcycle/moped drivers who ride professionally. This is the context of the Incentive Scheme for the Purchase of Protective Equipment for Motorcyclists for the three-year period 2022-2024, with a total budget of €1.05 million over 3 years. For 2022, the application procedure for the purchase of protective equipment such as motorcycle body airbags for motorcyclists was successfully concluded today. The interest in the Project was high, with 2,629 applications, which shows that motorcyclists have understood the necessity of using additional protective equipment and are willing to use it for their safety and life protection. Karousos, amendments concerning the Driving Licence Law were promoted for adoption by the House of Representatives to set a limitation on the validity period of the learner driver's licence to two years from the date of issue.
The actions are extended on multiple levels targeting specific vulnerable groups on the road network, said Mr. Karousos. Initiatives by individuals, such as that of Trust Insurance Cyprus, reinforce the Government's drive to improve road behaviour and send the message that road safety is a collective responsibility.
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