During the three days of the Flood, there were about 2.500 traffic complaints across Cyprus, says, in a written statement, the Communications Officer of the Police Headquarters, Sergeant Eleni Konstantinou.
He adds that with priority on the safety and service of the citizens, but also on the increase of the degree of response to the various events, the Police implemented a special action plan during the three days of the Flood, (from the afternoon of Friday 18/06/2021 - the Monday 21/06/2021).
"During this period, our presence was strong both in public places and on the road network for the prevention of road accidents, the smoothing of traffic, as well as for the provision of all possible assistance to the users of the road network. "Also, additional measures were taken to prevent crime and especially property crimes, such as burglaries, thefts, robberies, etc., with pedestrian and motorized patrols, in cities and in the countryside," he notes.
Traffic measures
Ms. Konstantinou states that the measures of the Traffic Police included intensification of the motorized patrols and increased presence of its members, especially in the roads leading to the coastal and mountainous areas, aiming at a bloodless three days, away from road traffic collisions and injuries.
"Unfortunately, the three days marked the fatal car accident that happened last Friday in the province of Nicosia, with a 22-year-old victim. "Also, a 74-year-old woman, who was hospitalized at the General Hospital of Nicosia after her critical injury in a car accident that occurred last May (22/5) in the province of Famagusta, succumbed to her injuries yesterday", he adds.
Remarkable, continues in her statement Mrs. Konstantinou, is the fact that two traffic accidents have been recorded in which the drivers involved were under the influence of alcohol (34-year-old with 97mg% instead of 9mg% in a final alcohol test, who was driving with an expired student driver's license, without being covered by a safety certificate and without the consent of the owner of the vehicle and 44 years old with a final indication of 100mg% instead of 22mg%).
He also notes that two other drivers were arrested, who were driving at excessive speed (one vehicle was moving at a speed of 183 kilometers instead of 100 and the second vehicle at a speed of 180 kilometers instead of 100).
Besides, says Mrs. Konstantinou, a number of drivers from all over Cyprus were found to be driving under the influence of drugs.
"In addition, in the effort to regulate the traffic and reduce the traffic traffic yesterday afternoon, the helicopter of the Aviation Operations Unit (MAEP) of the Police took part, which was over the highways during the mass return of the public", he adds.
Business action
Ms. Konstantinou states that the presence of the members of the Police was intense in the public places of trafficking, since additional measures were taken for crimes against property, but also for the prevention of crime in general.
"Throughout the three days, the pedestrian and motorized patrols were particularly high, in the cities, but also in the countryside. In this context, the operational action of the Police resulted in, among other things, the arrest of two persons for stabbing, the arrest of a driver who was in possession of a quantity of cocaine, while in a preliminary drug test that was submitted, the result was positive. In addition, another person was arrested who was in possession of offensive devices. At the same time, a number of people were arrested on the spot to facilitate investigations into investigated cases of burglary and theft ", he adds.
In addition, Ms. Konstantinou states that during the three days, inspections were carried out by the members of the Police in various premises, in order to verify the observance of the decrees of the Law on Disinfection, as well as whether the necessary permits for their operation were in force.
He notes that in the context of the controls in the province of Larnaca, the managers of two establishments were reported because they operated without a license, drink and use of loudspeakers, while in the province of Famagusta, the person in charge of broadcasting was reported without permission from the competent authority.
Traffic Controls
Ms. Konstantinou also states that during the three days, pan-Cypriot traffic checks were also carried out and special emphasis was placed on violations that have been proven to contribute to fatal and serious road accidents, such as speeding, dangerous overtaking, overtaking or failure to use a seat belt or helmet.
"It should be noted that despite the repeated calls of the Police and the continuous campaigns that take place, during the three days there were about 2.500 complaints nationwide, concerning various traffic violations, most of which exceeded the speed limit. It should be noted, however, that the members of the Police responded to various other incidents and handled complaints for various offenses (serious, minor offenses and traffic offenses) ", he adds.
Ms. Konstantinou mentions, finally, that the Social Media of the Police (facebook, twitter, application, web portal) contributed the most to the information of the public, since the information about the condition of the road network and the flow of information was continuous, as well as the posting useful tips / announcements for informing the citizens.