Cyprus aiming to reduce speed limits in selected urban areas

The Department of Public Works in Cyprus has completed a study aimed at reducing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 30km/h in urban areas. The aim of this is to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and their associated pollutants, whilst also promoting more sustainable transport options.

Whilst this has not resulted in immediate legislative changes, the study will be submitted to the Minister of Transport, Alexis Vafeades, and the Road Safety Council.

The proposal will impact several urban areas in the country, including two areas in Nicosia, the country’s capital. Other areas affected are in Limassol, one in the Municipality of Mesa Geitonia and one in the centre of Larnaca, home to the country’s primary international airport.

The study revealed that the speed limits in these areas could be reduced without increasing traffic in the area due to the good road conditions. It is thought that this may also encourage the use of alternative means of transport, such as bicycles and scooters, in these central urban areas. For example, e-scooters can be used on roads with a 30km/h speed limit.

This follows on from a recent trend in Europe in reducing speed limits in urban centres as a way of reducing road accidents, noise and pollution.

The Traffic Department of the Police in Cyprus established that for every 10% reduction in speed limits, a 20% reduction in road crashes is experienced. This would support the idea of reducing the speed limit to improve safety. This is an especially pertinent issue in Cyprus, where 60% of road accidents take place in residential urban areas.

Article first published on In-Cyprus on 21 February 2024.