Αlcohol and drugs are responsible for around 24% of fatal collisions οn Cyprus roads, while the use of a mobile phone while driving quadruples the risk of a road crash, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeades said on Tuesday. He added that in the coming months a new legislative framework for professional motorcyclists will be introduced, addressing a specific safety need.
“Road safety is a consistent policy priority for the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, with concrete measures, a clear target, and continuous evaluation of outcomes,” Vafeades said in his address at the “HARM REDUCTION CONFERENCE 2026: Shaping a Safer Tomorrow Through Innovation”, held in Nicosia.
The goal is “a road network with zero fatalities and zero serious injuries,” he said.
He noted that 1.19 million people lose their lives in road accidents each year, according to the World Health Organization, and added that in the European Union approximately 100,000 people were seriously injured and around 19,400 people lost their lives on the roads in 2025.
Aim to half road deaths by 2030
The target for 2030 is a 50% reduction, effectively saving more than 10,000 lives annually, he added.
The Minister said that in the coming months a new legislative framework for professional motorcyclists will be implemented, addressing a specific safety need, as motorcyclists are around 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident compared to car drivers. It includes stricter licensing requirements, mandatory use of certified equipment, and minimum safety standards, he added.
Vafeades also said that scientific evidence is clear: a collision at 30 km/h carries a pedestrian fatality risk of less than 10%, whereas at 50 km/h the risk rises to 80-90%. He added that local authorities in Cyprus are implementing 30 km/h zones with the guidance and support of the Ministry.
“We are also moving forward with targeted interventions at high-risk locations and upgrading pedestrian crossings, as well as the overall quality of our road infrastructure, adopting a more people-centred approach to road design,” he added.
Vafeades said that while infrastructure and technology play a decisive role, behaviour remains a critical factor. He added that the Road Safety Ambassadors programme in schools, along with targeted awareness campaigns, aims to foster a strong culture of road safety awareness.
Source: CNA