Cyprus traffic police spokesperson Tasos Asikis made a strong statement during the “Mesimeri kai Kati” program. He said that since the beginning of 2026, not a single fatal road accident has been recorded on sections of roads equipped with fixed speed cameras.
We are not talking about a reduction, but about the complete elimination of tragedies, the officer emphasized.
Previously, these intersections and highway sections were considered major accident hotspots, but according to the police, the situation has now changed dramatically.
Why the Media Reports Different Numbers of Victims
According to official police data, 15 people died on Cyprus roads between January and early May 2026. This is two more than during the same period last year. However, some media outlets continue to report the figure as 17. Asikis explained the discrepancy simply. One of the cases involved the sudden death of a driver due to medical causes, which was not classified as a road accident. The second was a crash within the territory of the British military bases, where separate jurisdiction applies, meaning those tragedies are not included in Cyprus police statistics.
The Main Threat: Mobile Phones and Driver Inattention
Out of the 15 fatalities recorded in 2026, five people — exactly one-third — became victims of careless driving and distracted attention. The issue is considered so serious that authorities are preparing new tools to combat it. It is already known that by the end of 2026, Cyprus plans to introduce AI-powered cameras. These systems will automatically detect drivers holding mobile phones as well as those not wearing seat belts.
According to last year’s data, 19 fatal accidents occurred because drivers were distracted by gadgets. Among other common violations, Asikis mentioned driving in the overtaking lane, dangerous lane changes, and failure to maintain a safe distance.
New Rules for Drunk Drivers
Police are recording an alarming rise in drunk driving. In 2025, out of 1,200 random checks, as many as 921 returned positive results, while 50 drivers refused to take the test altogether. In total, 981 reports for drunk driving were issued last year.
Since April 8, 2026, unprecedentedly strict measures have come into force in Cyprus. Previously, repeat offenses could often be settled with fines, but now police have the authority to revoke a driver’s license on the spot for repeat drunk driving offenses or for significantly exceeding the legal alcohol limit.
Cases involving such offenders will now be sent directly to court, bypassing pre-trial procedures. Notably, this new rule has also affected bus drivers: in April 2026, a 58-year-old intercity bus driver on the Nicosia–Limassol highway was detained after his blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit by five times.
The Scale of the System and Global Practice
Today, 90 fixed cameras and 20 mobile control units operate across the island. Mobile cameras are constantly moved between Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos so that drivers cannot become accustomed to them. The system was launched in 2022 and fully deployed by 2024.
Asikis also highlighted the overall trend: in 2020, 48 people died on Cyprus roads, while in 2025 the number was 45. During the same period, the number of registered vehicles on the island exceeded one million.
Who can guarantee that without the camera system we would not have seen even worse results? the police officer asked rhetorically.
According to the World Health Organization and the European Transport Safety Council, automatic traffic enforcement technologies consistently reduce the number of serious road accidents worldwide.
In addition to fixed and mobile cameras, Cyprus police regularly conduct large-scale nighttime raids. During just one such operation in April 2026, 265 fines were issued, including 74 speeding violations, while seven drivers were arrested for drunk driving. Another 18 vehicles were impounded for further inspection. Together with automated enforcement systems, these measures are intended to make Cyprus roads safer for all road users.
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Photos: pixabay.com, DOM
