74 Traffic accidents reported in north Cyprus last week: Police

No more than 74 traffic accidents were recorded in North Cyprus last week of which 26 resulted in injuries and 1,915 drivers fined.

According to the Police General Directorate’s report for the period of November 11-17, 74 accidents took place, including 18 that resulted in injuries and 56 with property damage. In the accidents leading to injuries, 26 people were reported as injured. 

The causes of the accidents were as follows: speeding (21), careless driving (15), tailgating (12), failure to stop at intersections (16), and other factors (10).

The total financial damage from the accidents was calculated at 4,685,000 TL. The distribution of the accidents by district was: Famagusta (22), Lefkosa (20), Kyrenia (16), Famagusta (14), and Guzelyurt (2).

Traffic Inspections: 1,915 Drivers Reported, 160 Vehicles Seized, 9 Drivers Arrested

In the same period, 11,014 vehicle drivers were inspected across the country. During the checks, 1,915 drivers were reported, 160 vehicles were seized, and 9 drivers were arrested.

The breakdown of violations for the reported drivers as follows:

• Speeding: 567
• Speeding detected by mobile devices: 312
• Use of mobile phone while driving: 240
• Driving without vehicle registration: 130
• Failure to obey traffic signs: 109
• Driving under the influence of alcohol: 54
• Not wearing a seat belt: 46
• Driving an uninspected vehicle: 37
• Careless driving: 31
• Driving an uninsured or improperly insured vehicle: 30
• Obstructing views with window tint: 14
• Failure to follow light rules or driving with insufficient lighting: 12
• Unauthorised use of a passenger transport vehicle: 9
• Driving without a driver’s licence: 8
• Reckless driving: 7
• Failure to obey traffic lights: 6
• Unauthorised transport of personal items: 5
• Riding a motorcycle without a helmet: 3
• 607 other traffic violations.

*In North Cyprus, police-reported traffic accidents have been a persistent concern. In 2023, there were 48 fatalities resulting from road accidents, an increase from 24 deaths in 2022. This suggests a significant rise in traffic incidents or their severity over that period. The increase in fatalities highlights road safety challenges, particularly on major routes like the Nicosia Northern Ring Road, which has been identified as hazardous due to incomplete safety measures. 

[LGC News Ed.]