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- Ελληνικά
The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr. Alexis Vafeades held a meeting with experts from the Department of Public Works, in the presence of Ministry officials, on road safety, where recommendations were presented following the quadruple fatal accident in Limassol.
In statements to journalists after the meeting, Mr. Vafeades mentioned the three proposals to the Road Safety Council, which will meet in the coming days, and the two actions of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works that were decided during the meeting. It is noted that as there is work underway in the area, some of the equipment can be used immediately. Assuming this is approved by the relevant committees that administer such changes, it will take approximately two months to install a photo-signage system for speed control. [*]Until a fixed system is installed, recommend to the Police that more frequent checks with mobile cameras for speed control be made. It is noted that a roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Evagora Lanitis Avenue and Giannou Kranidiotis Avenue within a three to four year time horizon, a project currently under study. Once completed, it will introduce an additional roundabout on this route, thus improving road safety. Specifically, at the intersection where the fatal accident occurred, right-turning will be prohibited and only left exit from the road and left entry from the road will be allowed. [*]The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works will expeditiously promote the revision of the Driver Instructors Bill, with the intention of providing better education and training for drivers by better means. [*]At the same time, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works will update the Road Traffic Code in order to upgrade the curriculum taught to young drivers, with the ultimate aim of improving road awareness and culture for better road behaviour on the roads. The code will be published electronically to make it easily accessible in different languages. [*]Recommendation to the Police for the creation of additional road safety parks in all provinces in order to continuously educate drivers on road culture issues
Mr. Vafeadis stressed the individual responsibility of all of us in road safety. "We all have to be careful on the roads, obey the code, observe the speed limit, obey traffic lights and be extra careful," he said."
In response to a reporter's question about the number of red light violations, Vafeades replied that in 2023 there were 20,000 violations, 25% of which involved pedestrian crossings. "That's a terrible statistic: 75% have crossed across. You realize it's a miracle we haven't had a lot more accidents. This shows that many drivers have the audacity to believe that it is okay to cross at a red light."
Finally, the Minister said that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works is taking measures in all directions, in the short, medium and long term, regardless of the conclusion of the Police, which is expected soon and will also clarify the cause of the accident.
(Sap/AF/EATH)
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