The initiatives of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works to achieve the "Vision Zero", for zero loss of life from road collisions, were presented today by the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr.
According to Mr. Karousos, Cyprus relies exclusively on its road network for land transport, which puts road safety at the centre of the Government's efforts to ensure a sustainable and safe system for the movement of goods and people. To this end, the Road Safety Council was established in 1986, under the coordination of which road safety policies are implemented.
"After an initial reduction from 130 road deaths per year in the 1990s to 60 in 2005, from 2010 to 2021 the reduction was limited to about 50 road deaths per year. It is worth noting that a 76% reduction in road injuries was recorded in Cyprus from 2010 to 2020," the Minister said.
Continuing, Mr Karousos pointed out that 28% of road traffic fatalities in Cyprus concern young people up to 25 years old, while 70% of road deaths are recorded on urban roads. The vast majority of urban road deaths are vulnerable road users, namely pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, who account for 7 out of 10 urban road deaths. In addition, the Transport Minister noted that road deaths of motorcyclists/motorcyclists are about 14 times higher than those of other motor vehicles, when the ratio of motorcycles to other motor vehicles is taken into account.
With the overall goal of reducing serious injuries and road fatalities by 50% by 2030, the Road Safety Council has identified policies and actions that will lead to a further reduction in road crashes through the Road Safety Strategic Plan 2021-2030. The Strategic Plan includes 28 individual policies and 158 targeted actions that fall within the "Safe System" areas. It is noted that 44% of these actions are already underway, while the remaining additional actions are being launched, with the involvement of the relevant Ministries, the Police, Local Authorities, academic institutions and other private organisations and social stakeholders.
"One of the important actions currently underway is the implementation of the Photo Identification System with the first phase to be completed by the summer of 2022," the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works stressed. In addition, Mr. Karousos referred to various actions that have either been completed or are being implemented or are in the process of being implemented and, among others, include.
- Incentive Plan for the purchase of protective equipment for motorcyclists for the period 2022-2024, with a budget of €1.05 million.Through the Plan, all types of protective equipment will be progressively subsidised, with priority being given to subsidising the purchase of protective equipment such as motorcycle airbags.
- Legislative initiatives for the training of motorcyclists and the acquisition of learner and regular licences and the compulsory use of specialised safety equipment and clothing for motorcycle users for professional purposes.
- Ensuring a certificate of fitness for motorcycles, in the same way as for motor cars.
- Legislation on the regulation, establishment and operation of driver training schools, with a view to introducing modern regulations, such as the obligation of lifelong learning for driver trainers, the introduction of the institution of the School of Driver Training Instructors, the categorisation of instructors and schools according to their knowledge and training resources and the introduction of a quality assurance procedure for the operation of schools.
- Setting the maximum speed limit at 30 km/h in urban cores and residential areas.
- The procurement of a Multipurpose Pavement Inspection System, which will enable the inspection of the road network to be carried out quickly, automatically and without the need for road closures.
- The further upgrading of existing infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
As Mr. Karousos said, "the phenomenon of road safety is complex and difficult to address. No loss of life or injury on the road network is acceptable." In order to achieve this important goal and protect human lives, the Minister concluded, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works designs policies by taking a holistic approach to the issue and supports every initiative that contributes to achieving the goal of zero deaths and injuries on the roads.
In conclusion, Mr. Karousos said that the effort to reach the desired goal is collective and thanked both the officials of the competent Ministries and Services, as well as volunteers and other organized groups for the work they offer. The Minister also expressed special thanks to the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mrs. Stefi Drakou, as well as to the Police, the Departments of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works and the members of the Road Safety Council for their excellent cooperation.
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