Road safety campaign on motorbikes launched

Police on Monday launched a week-long islandwide road safety campaign focusing on motorbikes and mopeds amid rising concern over fatalities among bikers.

The campaign will focus on dangerous driving, wearing helmets, noisy exhausts, speeding, driving without a licence and converting the engine.

“Moreover, police will show zero tolerance to other traffic offences which lead to road fatalities and serious traffic collisions,” police said.

Road safety campaigns focusing on different categories of road users are held at regular intervals as police step up efforts to stem the bloodshed on the roads.

Only last week transport and justice ministers Yiannis Karousos and Emily Yiolitis attended an urgent meeting on road safety after six motorcyclists died in accidents this year.

At the meeting, it was stated that motorcyclists are 14 times more likely to be involved in traffic accidents.

Karousos and Yiolitis said that they have been in contact with various motorcycle groups, hearing their views on how to reduce the high number of deaths.

As part of their consultations, safety advice on how to avoid collisions with motorcyclists will be added to the process while obtaining a driver’s licence.

Additionally, a proposal was made for a full driver’s licence to be required to operate a motorcycle – as currently a learner’s licence is sufficient to drive one for work purposes.

Yiolitis also said that vehicle inspections will be increased.