Road deaths reach 26 in Cyprus this year, more than half motorcyclists

Local deathpoliceRoad fatalitiesroad safetyTop News Road deaths reach 26 in Cyprus this year, more than half motorcyclists Road Deaths Reach 26 In Cyprus This Year, More Than Half Motorcyclists Relevant News Road deaths reach 26 in Cyprus this year, more than half motorcyclists 24 August 2026 Larnaca DLGO mourns employee killed in motorcycle crash, post-mortem confirms cause of death 24 August 2026 Latchi is changing – my thought of the day 24 August 2026 Newsroom 24 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Twenty-six people have died on Cyprus roads since the start of 2026, with more than half of them motorcyclists, as police step up efforts to prevent fatal collisions. The toll rose to 26 after a fatal crash on Sunday involving a 30-year-old motorcyclist, prompting police spokesman Vyron Vyronos to renew his appeal to drivers to observe the Road Traffic Code and remember that their life is at risk every moment they are on the road network. Of this year’s 26 fatalities, 14 were riding two-wheeled vehicles, more than 50% of the total, according to police data. The high proportion of motorcyclists among this year’s road deaths is one of the most significant features of the current picture on Cyprus roads. The year began badly, with 11 fatal collisions recorded by the end of March. The death toll reached 17 by the end of May, 19 by mid-June, and had passed 25 by August, before Sunday’s crash brought the total to 26. The situation remains concerning compared with 2025, which recorded the highest number of road deaths in the past five years, with 45 people killed in total. By the same point last year, August 23, 27 deaths had been recorded, against 26 this year, a marginal improvement that Vyronos said does not meaningfully change the overall picture, since both years have run at particularly high levels through the first eight months. Vyronos said police maintain a strong presence on the road network, running campaigns and targeted policing in areas assessed as high-risk, with actions guided by the force’s own analysis of the causes of fatal collisions as well as the European traffic policing network Roadpol’s programme. This week, he said, a campaign is under way against mobile phone use while driving, which he described as one of the high-risk factors behind fatal crashes. Asked what more could be done to curb phone use and other driver distractions, Vyronos said greater effort is needed from police and other bodies alike, along with systematic education, particularly among young people from an early age, aimed at building a culture of road safety awareness. “There are no magic solutions,” he said, noting that police cannot be present on every road or anticipate everything that might happen across Cyprus. He said that unless every road user, whether driving a car, riding a motorcycle, moped or even an electric scooter, recognises that their life is at risk at any moment, not only from their own actions but from others on the road, the problem of fatal collisions cannot be substantially solved. Vyronos stressed that the goal cannot be zero accidents, but a meaningful reduction in collisions, and particularly in fatal ones. Police data shows that careless driving, excessive speed and distraction, particularly from mobile phone use, remain the main factors linked to fatal collisions. Cyprus also continues to record a high proportion of young drivers among road deaths, with the country consistently ranking high in the European Union for road deaths among drivers under 24. Vyronos said police will continue their efforts, with the ultimate goal being prevention rather than enforcement. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Larnaca DLGO mourns employee killed in motorcycle crash, post-mortem confirms cause of death Latchi is changing – my thought of the day National Guard to design and build small drones through new lab Flight Safety Foundation condemns unauthorised Turkish incursions into Nicosia FIR Third suspect, 34, arrested and remanded in Paphos attack on delivery drivers Overnight pharmacies on Monday, August 24 Precautionary check on anticoagulant drug — what patients should do Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.