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Police Seek Powers to Immediately Revoke Driving Licenses

Published January 3, 2026, 05:08
Police Seek Powers to Immediately Revoke Driving Licenses

The Cyprus Police are seeking a change in legislation to grant them the power to immediately revoke driving licenses from drivers who commit serious offenses, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Currently, offenders are arrested and released until their trial, without any immediate impact on their ability to drive. The Traffic Police are recording an increasing number of drivers involved in accidents while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2025, 11 fatalities were drivers or passengers who were driving under these conditions. Overall, 45 people died in traffic accidents in 2025, four more than in 2024. Motorcyclists and pedestrians are the most vulnerable groups, with 16 and 9 fatalities respectively. The main cause of accidents remains careless driving and distraction, especially due to the use of mobile phones. The Traffic Police have issued 3,226 reports for exceeding the alcohol limit and 869 for driving under the influence of drugs.