JUSTICE Minister Doros Theodorou was yesterday taken to task over the authorities’ failure to bring maverick drivers back on track and curb the high death toll on the streets.
Figures released by police showed an alarming surge in traffic violations and no improvement on the fatality rate, which continues to be the scourge of Cypriot society.
Since the beginning of the year, a staggering 101,000 offences have been reported, representing a rise of 118 per cent on the same period of 2004. So far, 41 people have lost their lives on the road (drivers and pedestrians), compared to 42 at the same time last year.
As always, speeding topped the violations chart: the number of people caught flooring it rose by 130 per cent on the previous year (January to May); non-use of seatbelts rose by 78 per cent; not wearing a helmet by 65.7 per cent; talking on mobile phones while driving by 38 per cent; and drunk driving by 59.1 per cent. Alcohol checks in Cyprus are more “lenient” than in most EU countries.
And statistical analysis shows that, at the going rate, we should expect 60 more deaths by year’s end. These morbid figures fly in the face of the intensified police campaign for deterrence and increased awareness.
Given that June is national seatbelt safety month, police say they will be intensifying checks on this particular aspect that is crucial to saving lives. About 62 per cent of people dying behind the wheel were not wearing their belts at the time, again an increase on last year’s figures.
To put things into perspective, 9,683 seatbelt offences were reported up until 29 May.
“What more can we do?” police spokesman Demetris Demetriou told the Cyprus Mail yesterday.
“We’re beefing up patrols, we’re in touch with schools, communities and army camps to raise awareness, we’re running warning ads on TV.
“Unfortunately, Cypriots will just not mend their wayward ways,” he concluded.
Justice Minister Doros Theodorou yesterday conceded that the police’s message was “not getting through” to younger drivers; he pledged to target the 18-25 age group that is most prone to getting into accidents, typically caused by reckless driving and speeding.
“It seems our awareness campaign has reached the mature audience, but not the youths, so from now on we shall be focusing on this vulnerable group.”
But both Theodorou and the police inevitably came under fire, as one after another the proposed measures appear to have done little to help. A few months ago, a debate began on whether nightclubs should close down earlier so as to reduce the risks of accidents caused by alcohol and/or tiredness. But nothing tangible has since been heard of this. Moreover, many believe this measure would not have the desired effect. Neither, they say, have the beefed-up patrols helped matters.
Deputy Ionas Nicolaou, of opposition DISY, yesterday trashed Theodorou’s approach, and said the government had no real plan. He went on to describe Theodorou’s policy as “random, isolated and stopgap”.
“You can’t write up people for speeding today, for not wearing seatbelts tomorrow, for drunk driving after tomorrow, and so on…” protested Nicolaou.
“You can’t isolate these things and focus on one for a period of time. Traffic control policy should be comprehensive and continuous.”
Critics also point out that the “crackdown campaign” is in reality a fine-tuned money machine for the government apparatus, with £5 million collected from fines so far this year.
