The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the Commissioner of Citizens Mr. Panagiotis Sentonas, the Deputy Chief of Police Mr. Dimitris Demetriou and representatives of Police Departments, officials of the Road Transport Department, the Road Safety Unit, representatives of the Cyprus Police, OEB, KEBE and POVEK, the Union of Municipalities, the Cyprus Youth Organization, the Association of Petrol Station Owners, the Association of Driver Owners and Instructors of Driving Schools, the Federation of Motorcyclists, the Ambassador of Road Safety Mr. Michael Sofokleous and representatives of the Friends of Traffic and Reaction.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Mr. Yannis Karousos said that today's meeting was the first of a series of meetings to be held, with the aim of creating a social alliance to improve road safety. The participation and suggestions of all relevant stakeholders, Karousos said, are aimed at making decisions to improve road safety for the benefit of citizens. "The reason for convening this meeting is simple: we are particularly concerned about the increased fatal road collisions this year. Despite the fact that, based on statistics, from 2011 to 2021, we had a 36.6% reduction in fatalities in Cyprus, with 17th place in Europe in the reduction of fatalities, as well as a 55% reduction in serious injuries, while in the EU and Europe there was almost no reduction in serious injuries."
He noted that this year, so far, we are at 2018 levels. For this, he said, it is a common belief that we need to take more measures and initiatives. He added that "there are several proposals pending in Parliament with amendments tabled by the Ministry of Transport, such as changes to driving licences, additional protective equipment for those who ride motorcycles for business purposes. In the coming weeks we will also announce the Motorcyclist Body Airbag Grant Scheme, which we believe will significantly improve road safety for motorcyclists. We have the application that has been completed and will enter a test phase in the next few days, in which an automatic recording will be made by citizens of the black and problematic points and the competent authority will be informed immediately to improve them.
There have been many changes in recent years on the issue of road safety, but especially this year, we are concerned about the fact of increased fatalities, about 60% of which are foreign tourists or permanent residents of Cyprus from third countries. Of the six fatalities we have had this year involving motorcyclists, five were without helmets. I appeal to everyone, to parents, to children, to encourage motorcycle users to wear their helmets because it saves lives."
Referring to the recommendations discussed at today's meeting, the Minister highlighted in particular the initiatives concerning proper information and the cultivation of a culture and proper road awareness. He noted that tomorrow an amendment to the Road Safety Law will be submitted for public consultation, whereby in the promotion and advertising of services or products related to road safety, it will be compulsory for a percentage of the advertising to include a road safety message. In this way, the Minister of Transport explained, we seek to have as allies the institutions and businesses related to road safety and the road network. This is a similar practice to the health markings on tobacco products.
In addition, the Minister said that in the coming days a meeting will be held with the Cyprus Broadcasting Authority, as well as with the mass media, so that they can be informed and participate in the collective social effort.
Mr. Karousos said that, based on data, about 41% of fatalities this year occurred between 4pm and 8pm and called on all road users to show due caution, especially during those times of the day.
He added that the Ministry of Transport will allocate a larger budget for road safety issues, with the aim of creating awareness campaigns and programmes, as well as scientific studies that will contribute to better decision making.
Finally, Mr. Karousos made special reference to the National Guard Road Safety Week, which takes place from today until June 24, in light of some fatalities recorded in relation to National Guardsmen. This was preceded by meetings with the Ministers of Defence and Justice, where decisions were taken and are gradually being implemented. In the current week, the Minister said, various awareness activities will be carried out in the camps by all the Services and Road Safety Ambassadors. Also, the incentives that the Ministry of Defence has decided to grant to the National Guardsmen to use public passenger transport to travel to and from the camp will also be put in place. We believe, the Transport Minister concluded, that with the right information and incentives given to the National Guardsmen, we will encourage them to use safer ways to travel for their own protection.
For his part, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. Dimitris Demetriou said that since the beginning of the year there have been 20 fatal road collisions with 22 fatalities. "There is an increase compared to the same period last year by 33 per cent in fatal road collisions and 37.5 per cent in fatalities. There is definitely a spike in the last month in terms of fatal road collisions. In particular, in 16 days we have had eight deaths, one death every two days. The month of June is characterized as black," Demetriou pointed out.
Speaking on the use of seat belts while driving, the Deputy Commissioner of Police said that of the nine drivers and car passengers, "the six who died were not wearing seat belts, a percentage of around 66.33% and one wonders if in the year 2022, we will not be wearing seat belts. And what's more tragic, among the fatalities, their ages are 20, 22, 23, 32 and 39 years old, who were not wearing seat belts. I can tell you with certainty that at least five of the six would be among us today, if only they had worn their seat belts. It is unthinkable not to wear seat belts in cars. It's a law of physics, in a road collision our body will move out of position. Overseas there are no statistics on deaths due to not wearing a seat belt because they take it for granted. In Cyprus, unfortunately, the number of people who lose their lives because they do not wear a seat belt is too high."
(MCI)
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