Driver distraction: 11 deaths in Cyprus in 2025, 31,000 complaints over mobile phone use
Driver distraction has been linked to 11 of the 45 road deaths in Cyprus in 2025. More than 31,000 drivers have been reported for mobile phone use over the past three years.
11 deaths in traffic accidents in 2025 due to driver distraction — new awareness campaign
Driver distraction, including the use of mobile phones, is responsible for 11 of the 45 deaths recorded on Cypriot roads in 2025, police announced on Tuesday. Already this year, more than five fatal crashes have been linked to careless driving.
According to Cyprus Mail, these figures were presented at the launch of a new campaign titled "How many scrolls is a life worth? None. Keep your hands on the wheel", organised by insurance company Anytime in cooperation with the traffic prevention and awareness office.
Police statistics show that over the past three years, 31,066 complaints have been issued for mobile phone use while driving. Among the 45 victims of 2025, nine were pedestrians, eight were under 25 years of age and three were cyclists.
Traffic director Harris Euripidou stated that mobile phone use and driver distraction remain consistently among the top causes of traffic accidents in recent years. He cited studies from abroad showing that driving with a mobile phone can be even more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol, as it diverts the driver's attention from the road for several seconds.
"Whether we're talking or scrolling, we need to put the phone aside," Euripidou emphasised. He added that journeys in Cyprus are generally short and that very few things cannot wait 10, 20 or 30 minutes until the driver reaches their destination.
The campaign includes outdoor advertisements, radio spots, social media activities with road safety ambassadors Andrea Aravi and Katerina Agapitou, as well as media discussions involving police officers. In parallel, Anytime and traffic police are planning awareness activities in military camps, universities and major events, such as the Larnaca Marathon.
Interamerican Cyprus Managing Director Kiti Alexandrou emphasised that behind every traffic accident there is a human life and a family whose life can change in seconds. She characterised mobile phone use while driving not merely as a bad habit, but "a choice that can be avoided".
Source: Cyprus Mail