The results of the drug tests so far are questionable, as out of the ten drivers who were tested, six were under the influence of drugs.
"The issue certainly concerns us, however it is too early for any conclusions", said in a statement to ADE Limassol the Police Spokesman Andreas Angelidis, noting that the Police is determined to work, now having "an additional tool in its hands". with the ultimate goal of driver safety and protection and the reduction of road collisions.
Referring to the latest incident recorded at 1.45 in the early hours of Saturday, on Paphos Street, in Limassol, Mr. Angelidis said that a 27-year-old driver failed to stop at a traffic control, resulting in the need for motorized patrols to stop him.
"It was found that he was driving without a driver's license, without being covered by a safety certificate, with the vehicle registration canceled from 31 December 2017 and without a certificate of suitability from 1/11/2016", he stated and added that the preliminary narcotics test was positive , followed by a final narcotics test in order to send the sample to the General State Chemist for testing.
He also noted that the Police is acting in a targeted manner and that "the series of some traffic offenses gives us the suspicion as a result of which these checks are carried out and already from the ten checks, from January 25, we have six positive results in the preliminary check".
Pointing out that the whole situation is constantly monitored, the representative of the Police underlined that “proceeding with the implementation of the legislation, any statistical data will be given to the public and we will definitely wait for the results from the General State Chemist, for the cases to proceed in the court".
Asked whether there are more people who drive under the influence of drugs than those who drive under the influence of alcohol, Andreas Angelidis said that "what concerns us through the controls that is done is driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and now we will see how this situation will develop ".
"We are at the beginning", he said and added that the Police will continue the targeting, while he added that "there are concrete examples that clearly show the continuous commission of some crimes".
Recalling the recent incident with a driver in Limassol, who was also driving under the influence of drugs and trying to avoid traffic control, violated the red traffic light, Mr. Angelidis said that "it is definitely something that sends its own messages and it concerns us ".
The goal and the framework are given, he continued and stressed that "we work for the safety of drivers and in general to reduce accidents".
Source: KYPE