Just 35 days before Christmas Eve and a month and a half before the change of year, the Paralimni Technical and Vocational School was filled with a message that could not be more timely: "Holidays mean family, friends, joy - not tears and black news."
Famagusta Road Safety Officer George Demetriou, the president of the "George Mauritius" Road Safety Foundation Lena Katelari, and Road Safety Ambassador and filmmaker Alexis Demetriou spoke yesterday morning to hundreds of students, precisely at the time when the roads of Cyprus are preparing to fill with festive traffic, New Year's Eve, visits and night outs.
"The holidays don't end at the hospital or the cemetery"
Lena Katelari was categorical: "Over the last 5 years, during the December-January period, we have lost an average of 12-15 of our fellow human beings on the streets of Cyprus – twice as many as in a normal month. And half of them are young people under 30. We don't want any mother to light a candle at Christmas instead of the Christmas tree."
The data presented were shocking:
38% increase in fatal accidents on Friday & Saturday nights in December
1 in 3 drivers who test positive for breathalyzers during the holidays are under 25 years old
62% of young drivers killed in December-January were not wearing a seat belt or helmet
The videos that "froze" the room
Among the videos shown was a new spot from the Foundation titled “The Table That Waited for One More Person.” It shows a festive table with an empty chair and a mother’s voice: “This year he won’t come… because someone left before his time.” The silence in the room was deafening.
The speakers' message to the students
George Dimitriou closed with a phrase that was repeated by many children at the exit:
"If you drink even one beer, take a taxi or call a parent. It's not shameful to be a little late getting home. It's shameful to never come home."
Lena Katelari added: "Give the gift of life to your loved ones this Christmas: come home safe."
The students left with the slogan "Celebrating = Coming Home" and a promise to spread the message to friends and family. Because these holidays, the greatest gift is not wrapped with a ribbon.
It's time for New Year's Eve to dawn and for us all to be here.
