27-Year-Old Man Dies in Road Accident - New Crackdown on Traffic Offences

Police have launched a new crackdown on traffic offences like speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol just as another young man died in a motorcycle accident.

Yesterday, Demetris Demetriou from Louvara was killed in Limassol after he crashed into a car in front of him that was making a turn into a parking lot.

As he swerved to avoid the car, his motorcycle veered off the road and he was thrown into a concrete wall. Although he was wearing a helmet, Demetriou's death was instanteous because of the conditions of the crash, said a police spokesman. Traffic police took the car driver in for questioning.

Meanwhile, the authorities have announced a new law which will mean instant fines for drinking and driving. If an alco-test reveals 23-35mg of blood-alcohol level, there will be a fine of 100 euros. If it is between 35-56mg, the fine is 200 euros on the spot. If it is 56-75, the fine is 300 euros and two points off your license. In cases over 75mg, the case will be sent to court.

So far, all drink-driving cases were sent to court, but there are so many of them that there is a large backload. The new rules will lessen the load on the courts, said head of traffic Demetris Demetriou.

Speeding fines will become stricter and include on-the-spot fines that are particularly harsh on drivers who reach high speeds. If caught driving over 150km per hour, the fines will be three euros per kilometer of the total speed, and a penalty of three points off your license, he said.

"Everyone has to take up their responsibilities and concentrate on their driving. These laws will protect drivers, passengers and other people on the road," said Demetriou.

Drink-driving and speeding are the leading causes of fatal and serious road traffic accidents, he said.

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