Prison sentence for causing death in traffic will increase from 7 to 10 years in north Cyprus

TRNC Prime Minister, has announced that the prison sentence for causing death in traffic will increase from 7 to 10 years.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel made evaluations about the amendment to be made in the Penal (Amendment) Law stating that it should be upgraded.

"For those who cause the death of someone in traffic, a fine of up to 50 times the gross minimum wage can be up to 75 times the gross minimum wage, and a prison sentence of up to 7 years can be sentenced to 10 years" he stated.

Ünal Üstel who drew attention to the amendments to the Penal Code aimed at reducing the number of traffic accidents that have increased recently, called for caution in traffic during Ramadan Feast.

Üstel announced that a commission that will carry out comprehensive studies on the issue has been established in the Prime Ministry, and noted that they are continuing their infrastructure work to make the roads safer with the legal changes.

Emphasizing the need to be at least as sensitive to this problem as to the earthquake and to act jointly, he called for cooperation from all segments.

Ünal Üstel , in his written statement, stated that many young people lost their lives due to the increasing number of traffic accidents in recent years, and fire fell in many kindergartens, and said, "We do not and will not remain silent as our young people lose their lives." said.

He reminded that the same number of people who lost their lives face the penalties stipulated in the law and cause serious problems to their families due to the grave and unforgivable mistakes they made, and stated that this situation is not only a traffic problem, but also a major security problem that brings social traumas.

Üstel said, “We lost dozens of lives in the earthquake. We still cannot come to our senses and we carry the pain in our hearts. "While this example was evident, we began to lose as many lives in traffic accidents as we lost in earthquakes every year." said.

Üstel said that this problem should be at least as sensitive as the earthquake and that joint action should be taken, adding that the government started working six months ago to make the penalties more deterrent regarding this issue, which is at least as important and serious as the earthquake and requires precautions.  

Announcing that an amendment was made to Article 210 of the Criminal (Amendment) Law upon the positive opinion received from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Üstel expressed the change as follows:

“Accordingly, for those who cause the death of someone in traffic due to negligence and carelessness, the fine of up to 50 (fifty) times the gross minimum wage is increased to 75 (seventy-five) times the gross minimum wage, and the prison sentence of up to 7 (seven) years is increased to 10 years. . "The amendment to the law article was discussed in the Council of Ministers and sent to our Parliament."

Prime Minister Üstel reminded that a regulation was made in the Road Safety (Amendment) Draft Law in order to ensure more effective alcohol controls in traffic, and gave the following information about this regulation:

“Accordingly, drivers who consume more than 150mg/100ml of alcohol will be referred directly to the court, without being sentenced to a fixed penalty, and depending on the amount of alcohol in their blood, they will be sentenced to a maximum of 3 years in prison and/or a maximum of 15 minimum wage fines and/or a maximum period not exceeding 6 months.” Penalties of disqualification from having or obtaining a driving license may be imposed.

"In addition, those who refuse to go to the police station, exhale or go to the hospital will be fined 15 times the minimum wage and/or will be banned from having or obtaining a driving license for a period not exceeding 12 months."

Üstel emphasized that in order to prevent the increasing traffic crimes in a rapid, effective and deterrent manner, the Draft Law on Road and Traffic Crimes Without Case and Penalty Points (Amendment) has been amended, and the crimes that can be solved without a case in case the alcohol limit is exceeded have been reconsidered and regulated.

Prime Minister Üstel stated that the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill was also amended, and in order to prevent contradictions between the laws, the penalties for those who drive while using alcohol and drugs were increased, in parallel with other amended laws.

On the other hand, Üstel noted that a large commission on the issue has been established in the Prime Ministry and stated that the work of this commission has been started at the national level, including all stakeholders on the issue; He said that in this commission, issues such as increasing police measures, organizing educational activities, making legal changes and increasing penalties will be discussed.

“We also know that just changing the law is not enough. For this reason, we continue the necessary infrastructure works without slowing down to make our roads safer.” Üstel said and invited all segments to work together, as in the earthquake.

Prime Minister Üstel said:

“I want government representatives, opposition representatives, our police forces, ministries and non-governmental organizations to actively participate and support this process. I call on all segments of society to fight together to eliminate this vital issue.

On the occasion of the holiday, I would like to address our citizens on an important issue. Holidays are special days when we reunite with our loved ones, come together and feel happy. It is of great importance that we obey the traffic rules and be careful so that these beautiful days are not overshadowed.

On this occasion, I request you to follow the traffic rules during the holiday..."