By Evie Andreou
ROAD deaths are more than 30 per cent higher this year than a year ago, while alcohol is the leading cause of fatal road accidents in Cyprus, Justice minister Ionas Nicolaou said on Friday.
Speaking at the launch of the annual road safety week, organised by the police in cooperation with CNP Insurance, Nicolaou said he was concerned in the increase in road accident fatalities to 45 from 34 last year.
This years’ campaign, he said, called “Together let’s put a stop to traffic collisions”, is part of the efforts to raise awareness but also to cultivate road behaviour based on social responsibility among all ages, mainly the youth.
“I appeal to young drivers aged 15 to 24, where the fatal accident rate is double compared to more experienced drivers, with a risk to others as well. EU surveys show that for every young driver killed in collision, on average 1.3 additional persons are killed,” Nicolaou said.
Based on the latest statistical data, he said, a third of all victims in road accidents in recent years died due to alcohol consumption. “Alcohol is the leading cause from 2010 to 2014 in our country”.
Nicolaou said his ministry and the police will proceed within the coming months with additional targeted measures as part of a new comprehensive strategy to avert the increase in road accidents.
The measures include the analysis of statistical data to extract “useful conclusions” but also the recruitment of communication specialists for a new information campaign addressed to different target groups.
Nicolaou announced the establishment of a “scientific road safety institute”, where specialists will suggest road accident prevention policies based on past studies and surveys.
A survey will also be conducted by experts to evaluate the adequacy of penalties provided by the existing law and their deterrent role, and their association with the violations concerning the four main causes of accidents – alcohol, speeding, non-use of seat belt and helmets.
He also proclaimed a zero-tolerance policy on the four main causes, and increased police presence in the road network.
“At the same time we proceed with the announcement of a tender competition … for the installation of speed cameras,” Nicolaou said.
The competition is to be announced by the end of the year, he said.
The aim of the new policy, he said, is to mobilise all state services that have direct responsibility in road safety, and the necessary involvement of the entire society “in our struggle for education and compliance of existing and especially of young drivers to road safety rules”.
“The professional conduct of members of the police continues to be our priority. We are close to the citizen, with professionalism, and are sending the message that each report is a measure to improve and change a motorist’s behaviour and not a means of punishment,” he said.
