Mobile phone use ranks among the top causes of road deaths in Cyprus, with over five fatal collisions attributed to driver distraction this year alone. According to police, there have been 31,066 reports concerning phone use while driving from 2023 to 2025, underscoring the urgent need for change.
- “Scrolling on a phone does not mix with driving,” he warned, cautioning about the increased risk of collisions when drivers focus on their screens instead of the road.
A new road safety campaign, titled “How many scrolls is a life worth? None. Grab the wheel,” was launched in Nicosia on Tuesday. The initiative is a collaboration between Anytime, a motor insurer owned by the Interamerican Group, and the Traffic Police Department’s Prevention and Awareness Office. The event was attended by new Members of Parliament and featured a video message from Anytime’s road safety ambassador, Andreas Aravis.
Recent statistics from police indicate that out of the 45 individuals killed on Cyprus roads in 2025, 11 fatalities were linked to careless driving or distraction. The data reveals that nine of the victims were pedestrians, while eight were aged 25 or under, and three were cyclists. The alarming numbers highlight the dangers posed by distracted driving.
The campaign encompasses various outreach strategies, including outdoor advertising across the road network, radio announcements, and a social media initiative featuring Aravis and fellow ambassador Katerina Agapitou. Additionally, discussions on road safety will be held with police involvement, targeting army camps, universities, and major events like the Larnaca marathon.
Charis Evripidou, director of the Traffic Police Department, emphasised that phone use and driver distraction have consistently been leading causes of road accidents in Cyprus. He mentioned that research from abroad indicates that mobile phone use can be more hazardous than alcohol, as it diverts drivers’ attention for several seconds. This pattern of distraction has continued into 2026, with more than five accidents already linked to phone use this year. Evripidou noted that distraction was the primary cause of collisions in 2025, with over 17 cases recorded.
He highlighted the need for public awareness regarding the dangers of using mobile phones while driving. “We have to leave it to one side,” Evripidou stated, urging drivers to resist the temptation to check their phones. He added that given the typically short duration of journeys in Cyprus, no task is so urgent that it cannot wait until a driver reaches their destination.
“Scrolling on a phone does not mix with driving,” he warned, cautioning about the increased risk of collisions when drivers focus on their screens instead of the road.
Keti Alexandrou, head of Interamerican Cyprus, echoed these sentiments, stating that every road accident represents a life altered forever. She stressed the insurer’s moral responsibility to contribute to public safety through their corporate social responsibility programme, with road safety as a top priority. Alexandrou remarked that using a mobile phone while driving is not merely a bad habit but a conscious choice that can be avoided.
Through this campaign, Anytime aims to encourage both the public and individual drivers to prioritise road safety and to leave their phones aside while behind the wheel. The hope is that increased awareness will lead to a significant reduction in accidents related to distracted driving.
