The use of mobile phones while driving (without hands-free devices) has become a serious and growing problem. This major issue was discussed on Friday during a meeting of the Road Safety Council, attended by Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeades and Minister of Justice Constantinos Fytiris.

According to data released during the meeting, Offsite writes, over a four-year period up to 2024, out-of-court fines for mobile phone use while driving reached 37,619 cases. On average, annual complaints are approaching 8,000.

Based on the data obtained, Limassol records the highest number of violations per year. Specifically:

• 2020: 1,253 fines

• 2021: 742 fines

• 2022: 1,124 fines

• 2023: 1,457 fines

• 2024: 1,640 fines

During the Road Safety Council meeting, it was highlighted that approximately 45% of fatal road collisions are attributed to driver distraction, including the use of mobile phones.

Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeades told the Road Safety Council that mobile phone use while driving has become a real scourge for Cyprus, noting that “it appears that we have lost 19 of our fellow citizens due to mobile phone use while driving, and this cannot under any circumstances be considered acceptable.”

The meeting also stressed the need for greater focus on vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists, as well as stronger police enforcement, particularly within urban road networks, where traffic collisions remain high. In addition, the importance of increased involvement by local authorities was underlined, through the support of municipal traffic wardens.

Police officials presented detailed data showing that approximately 38% of victims were motorcyclists, 30% were vehicle drivers, and 19% involved young people under the age of 25.

Minister of Justice Constantinos Fytiris emphasised that “all necessary measures will be taken, both in terms of human resources and through the use of technology, in order to reduce road traffic accidents to the lowest possible level.”

Beyond the existing traffic camera system, additional measures include alcohol detection devices, drug testing equipment, and automatic number plate recognition systems, which can also assist in identifying criminal activity.