The Police are on full alert, carrying out intensive checks on the road network ahead of the August 15 public and religious holiday in Cyprus, as increased traffic is expected on both motorways and the wider road network, particularly in mountainous and coastal areas, Police Headquarters Communications Officer Michalis Michael has told the Cyprus News Agency.
He said the Police had drawn up the necessary action plans and would be on the roads throughout the period, both to ensure road safety through traffic checks and to aid motorists wherever and whenever necessary.
‘With regard to the August 15 period, when increased vehicle traffic is expected both on the motorways and the wider road network, the Police have drawn up the necessary action plans,’ he said.
According to Michael, increased traffic is expected mainly on the motorways, as well as on other roads leading to mountainous and coastal areas, where greater numbers of people are expected due to the long weekend.
Michael stressed that Police traffic checks, aimed at preventing serious and fatal road collisions, are carried out daily and are not limited to the August 15 period.
This week also sees the continuation of the pan-European campaign by ROADPOL, the European Roads Policing Network, in which the Cyprus Police are participating, with a focus on speeding.
Michael said the campaign began on August 3 and will conclude on Sunday, August 9.
However, Michael added that Police intensive checks cover all serious traffic offences and are not limited to speeding. The focus, he said, is on behaviour that is responsible for main causes of serious and fatal collisions, including speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to wear a seat belt or helmet, and using a mobile phone while driving.
At the same time, he said that checks and public awareness efforts concerning the use of personal mobility devices, such as electric scooters, had also been stepped up in recent days.
Asked whether there were any areas of the road network currently considered to be particularly high-risk, Michael said that, due to the expected increase in traffic, particular attention would be required on motorways, as well as on roads leading to mountainous and coastal areas.
‘There will be more vehicles on the roads,’ he noted, stressing the need for increased vigilance among all drivers.
Concluding, Michael urged member of the public to exercise caution when travelling.
‘Let us all be extremely careful on the roads, drive responsibly, respect other road users and remember that every choice we make on the road can affect human lives,’ he said.
CNA/ELA/EAN/MK/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY