Phone behind the wheel. New campaign and goal: halve the number of deaths.

A single notification on your phone can take your eyes off the road at the worst possible moment. A new road safety campaign highlights the consequences of distraction, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. It was unveiled on Saturday, November 7, in Limassol.

Transport Minister Evi Tsolaki recalled that the strategy's goal by 2030 is to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries by 50 percent. Among the actions, she mentioned the creation of 30 km/h zones and funding for motorcycle protective equipment with airbags.

Motorcyclists accounted for 38 percent of fatalities

Data presented at the event shows how serious the consequences of accidents are for people deprived of the protection provided by a car body.

In the years 2021–2025, motorcyclists accounted for 38% of all people killed in road collisionsThe share of young people among the fatalities was 26 percent.

These percentages should not be added together. The categories may overlap—a young motorcyclist could fall into both groups. The data also does not specify the exact age limit for the young person category.

The Minister emphasized that behind each number there is a person and a family facing an irreversible loss. She also referred to the November 15, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

30 km/h zones near schools and in residential areas

An important element of the activities will be subsidies for local governments to create zones with speed limits up to 30 km/hParticular attention was paid to school areas and residential areas.

This isn't an announcement of a uniform 30 km/h speed limit on all streets. These are designated zones, the implementation of which requires specific action by local authorities.

According to the data quoted by the minister, approximately 60% of fatal collisions and 80% of collisions resulting in injuries occurs in urban areas. Lower speeds give the driver more time to react and reduce the severity of the consequences of a hit-and-run or collision.

Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis supported the importance of such restrictions, citing the safety of parents walking with children, the elderly, and cyclists using city streets.

Protective equipment for motorcyclists

The Minister also recalled the four-year-old program to subsidize the purchase of motorcycle protective equipment with an airbag.

This is one element of a broader safety policy. In addition to protecting road users themselves, the ministry cites safer infrastructure, legislative action, prevention, and cooperation with the police and local governments.

The goal of reducing the number of casualties by half is part of Strategic Road Safety Plan 2021–2030It's not just about deaths—it also includes serious injuries.

Someone else's mistake can cost you your life

The campaign was created in cooperation with the Press and Information Office. Its central slogan can be translated as: Someone else's mistake may be your last.

The message will be disseminated through a film, radio spot, posters, and print and digital materials. It serves as a reminder that the consequences of driver inattention often fall on someone else.

The long-term direction remains Vision Zero, or the pursuit of eliminating death and serious injury in road traffic. This involves designing roads and traffic regulations so that a single human error does not have to end in tragedy.