THE RESULTS of a recent European study into drivers’ attitudes have yet again brought Cyprus into the spotlight, as one of the worst EU countries when it comes to abiding by traffic laws.
The study showed that Cypriots have little qualms about speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, passing through red lights, talking on mobile phones while driving and not wearing seat belts. And to make matters worse, they are also in the habit of warning fellow drivers of forthcoming police blocks, so they can reduce speed.
The aforementioned conclusions were found in the multi-page study by SARTRE – Social Attitudes to Road Traffic Risk in Europe –recently published by the EU.
SARTRE has been occupied with road safety issues since 1991 and has previously carried out similar studies.
Twenty-three of the 25 EU member states took part in the ‘SARTRE 3’ study.
Around 1,000 drivers were included from each country, making up a 23,000-strong participation.
The study was funded by the participating countries and partially sponsored by the EU.
The questionnaire included, among others, questions concerning the attitudes of drivers, their behaviour and experiences, police actions, speed limits, the use of mobile phones and safety belts and others.
According to the results, Cyprus came first in traffic discrepancies three times, while for other road-related offences it attained some of the highest positions.
Cypriots came first in the use of mobile phones while driving with 46 per cent, first in violations of red lights with 36 per cent and first in driving under the influence of alcohol with 22 per cent.
In fact, the latter offence gave Cyprus the first position with a difference, as Greece came second with just eight per cent of drivers.
Cyprus also had the highest percentage with Slovakia when it came to abiding to child safety belt regulations.
British drivers were found the most conscientious when it came to ensuring their children wore their safety belts.
Additionally, 42 per cent of Cypriots involved in the study requested an increase in the highway speed limit, while 22 per cent asked for a higher limit on main roads, 14 per cent on rural roads and eight per cent wanted the limit raised in residential areas.
More positively, 31 per cent asked for the installation of speed cameras on the roads while another 31 per cent asked for cameras at traffic lights.
Age differences play a major role when it comes to driving, according to the SARTRE team.
Researchers separated drivers into four categories, based on their age. The first category included drivers aged 18-24, the second category drivers aged 25-39, the third drivers aged 40-54 and the fourth drivers aged 55 and above.
The study found that drivers aged over 55 are less dangerous on the roads due to their additional years of experience.
Cyprus and Greece both prevailed on the question over whether they keep a reasonable distance from the car in front of them.
Greek drivers of all four age categories – 42 per cent, 36 per cent, 32 per cent and 37 per cent respectively – said they didn’t do so.
Cyprus wasn’t far behind, with 37 per cent of 18-24-year-olds saying they didn’t keep the legal distance, 26 per cent of 25-39-year olds admitting the same, and 22 per cent and 21 per cent respectively of the latter categories agreeing.
The study also showed that in the past three years, 46 per cent of drivers in Norway, 36 per cent in Germany, 35 per cent in Sweden and 31 per cent in Cyprus had received fines for excessive speeding.
As for not wearing their seat belts, penalties were given to 18 per cent of Cypriots, 17 per cent of Croatians, 14 per cent of Slovenians and 15 per cent of Slovaks.
Cyprus came in first with a difference when it came to drink-driving convictions, with a percentage of 13 per cent, with Slovakia next on six per cent.
Generally participants expressed the wish for harsher penalties for traffic offenders, especially those driving under the influence.
With the EU aiming at a reduction of fatal road accidents, most agreed that stricter safety laws needed to be imposed.
The prospect of harmonising traffic regulations in Europe was met positively by the majority of drivers who participated in the study.
Biker killed
A 35-YEAR-old man from Russia was killed on Sunday night after his motorbike collided with a van. His 28-year-old co-rider was seriously injured.
According to police, at around 8.45pm in a village near Limassol, a van being driven by a 67-year old man, with his 65-year old wife as a passenger, collided with the motorbike under circumstances still being investigated by police.
The driver’s wife was taken to hospital and later released.
Both men were wearing helmets; the 67-year-old was given an alcohol-test, which proved negative.
