**State to Recover Towing Costs from Insurers Under New Road Clearance Plan**
The Cypriot government is set to implement a new rapid response system aimed at expediting the removal of vehicles involved in serious traffic accidents. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris announced this initiative on Tuesday, detailing that the state will take charge of vehicle recovery, with insurance companies expected to reimburse the government for the associated costs after the roads have been cleared.
This new measure is part of the "Nestor" plan, which was formulated in response to a significant traffic disruption last month. The closure of the Nicosia-Limassol highway for seven hours due to an overturned lorry highlighted the need for a more efficient response system to traffic accidents.
Fitiris explained that the planning for the new system is expected to be finalized within the week. A live exercise involving cranes and drones is scheduled for August to test the system before its official launch. The Justice Minister emphasized that the new protocol will allow for quicker road clearance, stating, “In practice, this means that the road will be opened as soon as possible and they will not wait for the insurance companies to decide which crane to bring.”
Under the current system, the removal of damaged vehicles can be delayed as insurance companies coordinate towing services. The Nestor plan aims to eliminate this bottleneck by placing the responsibility for coordinating vehicle recovery in the hands of the state. Before any vehicle is moved, officials will document the accident scene comprehensively, utilizing photographs, video recordings, and drones to gather necessary evidence for police investigations and insurance claims.
The plan is inclusive of all vehicles, including lorries and trucks. In cases where heavy goods vehicles are involved, the state will arrange for specialized cranes to facilitate their removal from the roadway. Fitiris assured that the government would initially cover the costs of recovery operations, subsequently seeking reimbursement from the relevant insurance companies based on the documented evidence collected at the accident scene.
This initiative builds upon a rapid response framework that was introduced following the highway disruption in July. The ministry previously announced the establishment of emergency response teams across all districts, which will include police, fire brigade personnel, and private contractors. A designated coordinator will oversee the response efforts, while police will manage road closures and diversions. Additionally, civil defense will issue public warnings through the CY Alert system to keep the public informed during emergencies.
Furthermore, the government plans to forge advance agreements with private companies that can provide specialized equipment when state resources are inadequate. These contracts will outline response times and costs, ensuring a swift mobilization of resources when needed.
The Nestor plan represents a significant shift in how traffic accidents are managed in Cyprus, aiming to reduce road closure times and improve overall traffic safety. By streamlining the recovery process and ensuring that the state takes the lead in coordinating vehicle removals, the government hopes to mitigate the impact of accidents on road users and enhance the efficiency of emergency responses.
As the implementation of the Nestor plan approaches, the government is focused on ensuring that all necessary preparations are in place to facilitate a smooth transition to this new system. With the aim of improving road safety and minimizing disruption, the initiative has the potential to transform how traffic incidents are handled in Cyprus, ultimately benefiting both motorists and the broader community.