2022

Cabinet on Wednesday rubberstamped a €3.7 million scheme for 1,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the country.

The efforts are part of the national recovery and resilience plan titled ‘rapid transition to a green economy – sustainable transport.’ Beneficiaries for the scheme include companies, associations, foundations, NGOs, local government authorities and individuals.

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said this was one more step to boost electric vehicles in the country, with the aim to have 1000 stations by 2026.

Submitted by the transport ministry, the scheme will be implemented in two phases. Applications for the first phase are accepted until January 31, 2023 with a budget of €1.8m. The second phase will be announced near the end of 2023, with the remaining sum of money.

Spots for the charging stations include public parking spots, private parking, petrol stations and designated areas for electric vehicle charging stations.

Every beneficiary can receive funding for up to four charging stations per district, at a maximum of 15 across the country. Local authorities are exempted from the rule and can place eight stations in their district.

As part of the scheme, half the expenditure can be compensated by the state, with a maximum amount depending on the charger’s output power. Charging stations in rural areas will receive up to 55 per cent of funding.

Applications and more information can be made at https://ev1000.cea.org.cy.

Source: Cabinet approves electric charging station scheme | Cyprus Mail

Police on Thursday reiterated calls to parents over child safety in cars following a Limassol accident that led to the hospitalisation of a 7-year-old child who was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt.

Meanwhile, the boy’s parents have claimed their son was buckled up in the front passenger seat.

The accident occurred around 3.40pm on Wednesday, when a car driving on Vasileos Pavlou Street entered Omonia Avenue and under conditions that are being investigated, crashed into another car which then hit the wall of a nearby store.

The second car was driven by the grandmother of the boy who was seated in the front. They were both taken via ambulance to the hospital as a precaution. The boy, who suffered bruises on his chest and head, was then taken to the Makarios children’s hospital in Nicosia for precautionary reasons where he continues to be treated.

The accident caused an uproar on social media as it was initially reported the child was not wearing a seatbelt, citing information from traffic police.

A netizen posted an article of the accident on social media explaining the importance of the use of car seats for young children. “For those of you who say ‘hush, but why do you still have the 8-year-old in a child car seat? What’s the point of keeping him in a seat until he’s 12? We didn’t have [child] seats and we grew up just fine.’ That’s the reason”.

The parents of the child rushed to defend themselves, saying that police have yet to take a statement from them.

“I have as a witness the person who pulled the child out of the car. They told me that to rescue him, they took off the seatbelt he was wearing,” the father of the child told AlphaNews on Thursday.

In the same article however, the online media cited sources from the Limassol traffic police who suggested the child was ejected from his seat and hit the windshield.

Meanwhile, road safety officer Giorgos Milis confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that examinations have not been concluded, so police have yet to determine whether the child was buckled up.

According to the relevant legislation, children up to 135cm height have to be on a child car seat, while those over 135cm to 150cm should be using a booster seat.

“The seatbelt should always be across the shoulder and chest as it is in adults, if it’s in the right position in the middle of the upper body then the child is safe,” the officer said.

Although police advise that children under the age of 16 are seated in the back seat, the law allows for minors to be in the front seat, since there are vehicles without back seats.

But Millis stressed that when younger children are seated in the front, the airbag should be electronically deactivated since it could cause injuries.

“We have had such cases in the past. Airbags can injure a child or break a child’s teeth,” the road safety officer said.

Source: Police call on parents to ensure children’s safety in vehicles | Cyprus Mail

British bases police in Dhekelia made 14 arrests during two weeks in October for driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).

These statistics have led to increased police patrols in ‘hot-spot’ areas within the bases. Superintendent Panicos Panayi emphasised that this reckless behaviour will simply not be tolerated by the bases police.

He also revealed that those caught were aged between 20 and 25, a troubling statistic which suggests that despite the best efforts of authorities, young drivers are ignoring road safety advice.

“This is extremely serious and also very worrying. Driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or both, simply cannot be tolerated,” he said.

“The SBA police have gone to great lengths to educate young drivers about the dangers of these actions and it would seem that the message is still not getting through to some.”

The penalty for DUIs are severe, with huge fines, driving bans and even prison sentences for some.

This is a message that Panayi was keen to hit home: “If you are caught, you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and you can expect no leniency. Driving in this state puts lives at risk and can destroy families and we cannot let that happen.”

DUIs are two of the most common reasons for deaths on the road and the other three, speeding, failure to wear a seatbelt and riding without a crash helmet, make up what police officers call the ‘Fatal 5’.

And tackling these areas of concern will always remain at the top of the police priority list according to Panayi.

“We have to continue to tackle breaches of the ‘Fatal 5’,” he said. “If people ignore these laws, then lives can be lost and it is absolutely preventable. Simply by fastening a seatbelt you can save a life, so why wouldn’t you do it?”

Source: An arrest a day: bases police issue dangerous driving warning | Cyprus Mail

 

Police are investigating another shooting of mobile traffic camera operators which occurred on Monday.

The latest case was reported by a company employee who told police that around 9:45 pm on Monday night, while the complainant was inside the company vehicle, parked on the Rizoelia – Ayia Napa highway between Pyla and Xylotymbou, a dark-coloured large displacement motorcycle with two riders approached. The complainant heard two loud bangs and saw the motorcycle speeding away. He was unable to see the riders’ faces as they wore helmets.

The employee got out to check what had happened and found damage to the rear of the vehicle whereupon he called the police.

Police went to the scene and carried out tests which revealed that the damage was caused by shots from a hunting rifle.

Police spokesperson Christos Andreou, said the scene was cordoned off immediately and experts began collecting evidence that may help determine the identity of the perpetrators.

“Police investigations are currently in the very early stages,” he said.

Andreou added that this is a very serious case and on Tuesday a meeting is expected to take place with the company to set in place measures to prevent further such incidents and protect the mobile camera employees.

Less than two week ago, two traffic camera operators were were shot at and injured in a similar incident in Kokkinotrimithia.

Asked about the previous incident, Andreou said some people had been called in for questioning, however, despite this, no new evidence had emerged until today.

Police are continuing investigations into both incidents.

Source: Another hit-and-run shooting of traffic camera employees (Update) | Cyprus Mail

Limassol traffic police on Sunday carried out a coordinated operation to tackle juvenile delinquency, noise pollution and the nuisance caused by motorcycles that have been mechanically altered.

Police announced that during the operation, from 7am to 7pm, they confiscated a total of 18 large displacement motorcycles and six cars.

Additionally, more than 60 people were booked for various traffic offences, including a young rider caught driving his motorcycle, recklessly, with no registration plates, in the opposite direction to traffic.

The young man was halted and submitted to a drug test with positive result.

Elsewhere, over the past three days, Paphos traffic police booked 140 drivers, including 47 for speeding and 24 for drunk driving.

Island-wide police efforts to reduce fatal and serious road collisions, continue on a daily basis.

Source: Traffic police seize eighteen motorcycles, six cars (Update) | Cyprus Mail

As of last month, 1,343 new electric vehicles (EV) have been registered in Cyprus, surpassing the year’s goal by 144 per cent, the transport ministry said.

The switch to electric vehicles is aimed to reach 25 per cent of new registrations by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035, it added.

“Cyprus is making a huge effort towards the national goal of zero greenhouse emissions by 2050,” the ministry announced on Friday to mark ‘World Electric Mobility’ day.

Approximately 50 per cent of greenhouse emissions on the island are due to road vehicles, the ministry said, adding that, owing to the government’s intense promotion, as of August 2022, 1,343 new EVs have been registered or ordered, superseding the year’s goal by 144 per cent.

In the category of full electric cars and small commercial vehicles, approvals and orders exceeded the 426 available sponsorships, by drawing on savings that came from other categories of the plan, the announcement said.

In the electric moped/motorcycle category, approvals were given for all available sponsorships and 142 additional orders were confirmed, which are eligible to receive a subsidy. In addition, 175 new electric bicycles have been officially approved or ordered.

The greatest demand appeared to be for full electric cars, mopeds/motorcycles, and small commercial EVs, however, there is not yet a sufficiently developed market to make electric buses financially attractive.

As regards the plan’s provision for retiring old vehicles combined with the purchase of a full EV or hybrid vehicle, all 433 available approvals have been given and 359 have been confirmed so far, while it is expected that the confirmations may exceed the maximum number of available sponsorships and will again be covered by savings from other categories. The total budget for this sponsorship amounts to €7,611,000.

In its continuing effort to promote electrification a new wave of plans and incentives is in the works, the ministry said, including switching all government vehicles to EVs.

These plans will take into account the interest shown in each vehicle category, as well as comments and suggestions from citizens and agencies, including extension of electric bicycle sponsorship.

The ministry is also developing the necessary EV infrastructure, for which it is preparing a grant scheme for the installation of 1,000 publicly accessible recharging stations, and simplifying legislation to allow private sector recharge points.

Source: All systems go for EV transition, more than 1,300 new registrations this year | Cyprus Mail

The government said Thursday it wants to mandate airbags for professional motorcyclists, especially for food delivery drivers, after a spate of serious road accidents.

Speaking after a parliamentary committee, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos stressed that use of airbags will save lives.

He said the gear, weighing about a kilogram, will provide protection to motorcyclists who are extremely vulnerable to collisions.

In tandem with a helmet, use of an airbag would considerably reduce the risk of grievous injury.

Karousos alluded to the fatal accident involving a professional motorcyclist two days ago, and also to two serious accidents involving food delivery drivers in Paphos and Nicosia this week.

The minister said an airbag costs anywhere from €250 to €1,000. A scheme subsidising their purchase is available, and more funding would be made available over the next few years.

The gear purchase subsidy scheme has so far received some 2,700 applications.

Karousos said he hoped MPs would adopt the ministry’s views, wrapping up discussion of the relevant bill and forwarding it to the plenum for a vote as soon as possible.

The ministry meanwhile is considering another measure aiming to improve protection for motorcycle drivers – abolishing the right to drive a motorcycle of up to 124 cc on a student’s licence.

The minimum age for acquiring a student’s motorcycle license is 17.5 years.

Source: Govt wants to mandate airbags for bikers | Cyprus Mail

Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos on Saturday visited the Daytona karting track in Nicosia, where he participated in motorcycle training seminars organised by the Nicosia Motorcycle Club, under the auspices of the Cyprus Motorcycle Federation.

“I also came today from Ayia Napa on my motorcycle, carrying full protective equipment, including my personal body airbag, and as a motorcyclist, I too have to train and participate in seminars like today’s,” Karousos said.

Karousos stressed the importance of such initiatives, saying that they strengthen road safety, culture and awareness.

The seminar, called City’s A.R.T (City’s Advance Rider Technics), is a specialised motorcycle and scooter rider training programme, which, among other things, offers defensive driving training aimed at communicating risks and ways to prevent road collisions.

The minister also referred to the results of road collision statistics, where the percentage of fatal collisions involving motorcyclists is much higher than users of other vehicles.

Motorcycle drivers are statistically 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal traffic collision than a driver of another type of vehicle.

“It is particularly important that motorcycle drivers use the necessary protective equipment as it has been observed that this year seven out of nine motorcycle fatalities did not wear the necessary protective equipment,” Karousos said.

“During the past two years, a very large coordinated effort has been made by the ministry of transport to improve road safety, with a number of priority actions and bills, such as the mandatory use of body airbags in professional motorcycle drivers, which could save the life of the deceased food delivery driver, who was involved in a traffic accident in Pallouriotissa, Nicosia, yesterday morning,” he added.

At the same time, the minister said, the necessary legislative regulations and amendments are being promoted, such as changes to driver’s licences, MOT control for motorcycles, as well as incentive plans for the purchase of protective equipment.

Additional measures include the implementation of the traffic camera system, the further increase of the road safety budget, the modernisation of the department of road transport, as well as the boosting of driver training programmes, among others.

Source: Motorcyclists 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision, Karousos says | Cyprus Mail

The majority of cars in Cyprus are between 10 and 20 years old, according to Eurostat data released on Friday.

Interestingly, from December 31, 2020, a mere 4 per cent of passenger vehicles in Cyprus were less than two years old (22,812 vehicles), and 10 per cent were between two and five years old (58,211 vehicles),

Meanwhile, the numbers grew as the age of the vehicles increased, with 20 per cent of cars between five and 10 years old (117,506 vehicles), 49 per cent were between 10 and 20 years old (283,537 vehicles) and 17 per cent were older than 20 years (96,092 vehicles). In total, some 66 per cent of passenger vehicles in Cyprus were older than 10 years old.

In a matter of only 13 years from now, the EU will prohibit the sale of vehicles with combustion engines, it announced in June this year as part of its green deal and the UN’s Agenda 2030 plan. It signals a complete changeover to electric vehicles from 2035 and on.

Eurostat noted that in recent years several EU member states have launched programmes to subsidise new cars with lower emissions, putting more polluting cars out of circulation.

However, the renewal effort has been affected by the effects of Covid-19 and disruptions in supply chains.

In Cyprus, incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles, including taxis and buses, and transportation means with lower emissions in combination with a car scrappage scheme were announced back in November 2021.

The first scheme, with a €4m budget, concerns the scrappage of cars older than 12 years and their replacement with new ones with lower emissions, or with electric bicycles or in exchange for bus tickets.

For the scrappage of an old car and its replacement with a new one that emits less than 50 grammes per kilometre of carbon dioxide, the subsidy is at €7,500. In total 360 subsidies were on offer.

Those wishing to scrap an old car and purchase a taxi that emits less than 50g/km CO2 the subsidy was €12,000 (33 subsidies).

For the scrappage of an old car and purchase of a new one for disabled people emitting less than 50g/km CO2 the subsidy was €10,000 (20). The same applies for purchasing a car for large families (20).

Applications for this scheme were being accepted between December 6 and 20. Priority was given based on the age of the car slated for scrappage, with older ones being given priority.

Europe-wide, the largest proportion of new passenger cars at the end of 2020 was recorded in Luxembourg (22 per cent of all passenger vehicles in the country).

They were followed by France, Austria, Ireland, Belgium and Sweden, where the percentages ranged between 16 per cent and 17 per cent.

Most passenger vehicles aged two to five were recorded in Luxembourg and Ireland (28 per cent in both countries) and Belgium (24 per cent).

Meanwhile, the largest proportion of older vehicles (more than 20 years old) was recorded in Poland (40 per cent), followed by Estonia (33 per cent) and Finland (28 per cent).

Source: Majority of cars on Cyprus’ roads are between 10 and 20 years old | Cyprus Mail

Source: More traffic cams to be installed in next six months | Cyprus Mail