A significant reduction has been noted in fatal road collisions from the beginning of the year until today, August 16, 2023 compared to the same period in the previous two years, as Eleni Konstantinou, an officer of the Communication Branch of the Police Headquarters, told KYPE.
In her statements to KYPE, Mrs. Konstantinou said that from January 1, 2021 to August 16, 2021, 22 fatal clashes took place throughout Cyprus with 23 deaths.
From January 1, 2022 to August 16, 2022 there were 26 fatal road collisions with 28 deaths.
He added, however, that this year, out of the three years, was the best year, since from January 1, 2023 to August 16, 2023, there were 16 fatal clashes with 17 deaths, that is, as he said, we had 10 fewer than last year.
Regarding the percentage of increase in 2022 compared to 2023, Ms. Constantinou stated that fatal traffic collisions this year have decreased by 38,5% compared to the corresponding period last year, as well as deaths in fatal traffic collisions by percentage 39,3% compared to last year.
When asked about the reduced percentage of fatal road collisions and what this is due to, Mrs. Constantinou stated that this is due to "the intensified campaigns undertaken by the Police, together with other co-competent agencies, to raise public awareness, so that they understand the seriousness of committing traffic violations, as well as for the acquisition and consolidation of road awareness".
He added that the actions of the Police to prevent serious traffic collisions are divided in the direction of prevention and training of all road users and in policing and monitoring the implementation of the Road Traffic Code in the road network.
According to her, among these actions, the road safety seminars and the efforts to inform and raise awareness about the provisions of the Road Traffic Code, through lectures in educational institutions of all levels of education, campaigns to enlighten professional drivers, but also foreign drivers who are in our country.
Great emphasis is also placed on the field of policing, with constant checks for compliance with the Road Traffic Code. The effort continued, focusing mainly on the main causes of traffic collisions, such as driver distraction (using a mobile phone while driving), excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and not wearing a seat belt safety or protective helmet.
In addition, Mrs. Constantinou mentioned that the Police launched a major enlightenment campaign in all the provinces, in organized groups, citizen groups, youth centers, places where mainly young people gather, camps, schools, even in Kindergartens and other public gathering places for the acquisition and consolidation of road awareness.
The concern of the Traffic Departments as well as the Neighborhood Police, he said, is their transition to school premises and youth centers, where they give various lectures to children, students and young people. Also, relevant information is provided in the camps, with many enlightenment campaigns, he added.
At the same time, Mrs. Constantinou said that as part of her actions, the Police identifies, studies and polices on a continuous basis dangerous and "black" parts of the road network. At the same time, he pointed out, where and where appropriate, he makes the necessary recommendations and suggestions to the competent bodies. Referring to the implementation of the photo-marking system and the installation of photo-marking cameras on the road network, Ms. Constantinou noted that this contributed the most to the reduction of traffic violations.
Furthermore, he said that members of the Police are active in the Mass Media, as well as on social networking platforms to inform the public regarding road safety and the compliance of drivers and road users with the Road Traffic Code.
He added that special emphasis is placed on the Social Media of the Police to display informative and enlightening material on the prevention of fatal and serious road traffic collisions.
Source: KYPE