Number of fatal road accidents declines in 2013

A SIGNIFICANT drop in the number of fatal road accidents in Cyprus in 2013 was recorded compared to previous years, according to police data.

The decrease marks the continuation of a declining trend in the number of fatal accidents since 2011.

In 2013 the total number of fatal crashes in Cyprus was 41, marking a 19.6 percent decrease over the previous year, with 44 fatalities, which denotes a 13.73 percent drop relative to 2012.

In 2011 there were 67 fatal accidents resulting in 71 deaths, which was n increase on 2010 when there were 56 fatal accidents resulting in 60 deaths.

The steady decline in fatal road crashes since 2011 suggests Cyprus is well on its way to meeting the European Commission’s target of reducing road accident deaths by 50 per cent by 2020, relative to 2010 numbers.

Several reasons have been cited to explain the fall such as heavier policing, preventive and educational police campaigns, efforts to foster road safety attitudes and the assistance of various road safety groups.

“Drivers are starting to get consciously active when it comes to road safety, being more cautious and ‘changing their culture,’” said Zenon Psathitis from the Paphos traffic department.

Psathitis was presenting the statistics for fatal road crashes in 2013 relative to previous years.

In Paphos there were six road fatalities this year, and six last year.  In 2011, Paphos saw 11 fatal accidents resulting in 13 deaths.

“Drivers now wear their seatbelts, most refrain from drinking and driving, and drive at a slower speed. Generally, Paphos traffic police’s efforts to foster safer driving have borne fruit,” Psathitis said.

 

 

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