Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Another death on the road!! How many more must die before the government do something positive about the appalling driving standards in the T.R.N.C. Only just over a month ago my best friend was tragically taken from us because he wanted to turn right.

http://www.lgcnews.com/another-fatal-ro ... -accident/

Its not just the TRNC this one escaped by inches
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/emer ... ier-smash/

Again this is awful news for the families of those involved.

The police have to get a grip of what's going on but sadly when you see them ignoring motor cyclists not wearing crash helmets and motorists not using seat belts the death rates on our roads will escalate. The other day I witnessed a police officer driving without his seat belt while using his mobile phone....You just couldn't make it up.

I'm at a loss to understand why the police in our village see what's going on but do absolutely nothing to prevent these young drivers from killing innocent people.Its just a disgrace.

The number of times I have nearly been hit when signalling to turn right by taxis flying down the main road in Catalkoy and overtaking everything at tremendous speed I wouldnt stand a chance if I didnt check my mirror before turning.

You cannot expect the police to act when they themselves drive around on mobile phones!!

I saw a traffic cop directing traffic with one hand the other day because he was on the phone so hardly an example to the general public.

I agree the police need to get a grip and also the government need to get a grip on driving schools - again I was driving on the bypass when a learner went straight across the roundabout next to me whilst the instructor was on the phone.

Sack the instructors and start by making them sit an international standard test and make their profession a profession to be proud of.

Every single person involved in a driving accident should be banned from driving and made to sit a 'professional' driving test before being legally allowed on the road again.

This will not answer all the problems but maybe will be a start.

The answer would be (maybe not totally) to set a proper international standard test before any drivers were allowed on the road, and also get proof of identification before test to ensure that drivers were competent on the roads before issuing a driving licence, the problem will always remain unless this happens, it must be the easiest country in the world to get a licence!

The first place to start will be to TOTALLY BAN family members teaching off spring to drive. They just pass on their appalling standards. The second thing to do would be close all driving schools down and make them re-open after teachers had reached EU standards. Because of a road closure a few weeks ago I found myself driving behind a learner drive in a driving school car. NOT ONCE, NOT ONE SINGLE TIME did she use an indicator or let traffic from the right take precedence and perform other basic traffic laws. I actually went out of may out of curiosity to see how bad she was!!. Most of the time the instructor was on his phone and only paid any attention when the girl strayed on to the wrong side of the road. On top of everything else she clearly wasn't being taught which lane to use and when. In other words she was an accident waiting to happen. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that she will have passed her test first time - afterall what was to stop her? Certainly not the police.

Got to add my experience this afternoon re driving instructors which just confirms what Sophie says.
Was following a driving school car which only had one person, presumably an instructor in transit. This was in an unrestricted speed area and as the car slowed to about 40km we realised driver was on phone. At first opportunity I overtook and gave a blast on horn as I came alongside the culprit. You can imagine the response from the driver, not repeatable, but as I got away he continued on the telephone.

The number of deaths will continue to rise until somebody has the balls to change most of the laws regarding driving and does away with the system of being able to commit numerous offences but because of a cousin in charge...............!!

cyprusishome wrote:Got to add my experience this afternoon re driving instructors which just confirms what Sophie says.
Was following a driving school car which only had one person, presumably an instructor in transit. This was in an unrestricted speed area and as the car slowed to about 40km we realised driver was on phone. At first opportunity I overtook and gave a blast on horn as I came alongside the culprit. You can imagine the response from the driver, not repeatable, but as I got away he continued on the telephone.

The number of deaths will continue to rise until somebody has the balls to change most of the laws regarding driving and does away with the system of being able to commit numerous offences but because of a cousin in charge...............!!

And prevent people being able to buy a "pass" for their children.

My sis did her driving test here as she was living here at the time and my dad a driving instructor from England came to see how they do it he didn't teach her before she went to the driving school here and all they did was give her an hour lesson and told her she was ready my dad was shocked as he knew there was no way she was safe to be on the road so ended up teaching her himself and then sending her for the test and when he complained they said this is not England they just don't care she didn't even have a theory test thats why no one in this country even understands the road signs all they think about it the money but nothing will change for a long time and i agree the taxis are so dangerous i always slow down when i see one behind me as i know he will over take and put us all in danger

Please don't class all taxi drivers the same. Since my husband died last year, and I can't physically drive, I rely on my (tame) taxi driver His name is Mehmet. He works for Yildez taxis, next to the Teacher hotel in Girne.He is the most courteous drive I have ever met. Always opens the door for me, He will always let other drivers out, not only taxis. He will stop to let pedestrians cross the road even when not on a crossing.

Another motor cyclist killed in Alsancak Sat 6pm turning right near Escape Beach!

In the UK I regularly drove 1000 miles per week as part of my job for many years - accident free. I am appalled at the standard of driving out here, many drivers do not appear to see the need for any sort of signal and drive as if they are the only people on the road. Nor do a large proportion of them seem to know which side of the road to take when turning right at junctions ( correctly in front of any waiting vehicle) although most want to go behind!

Young men in small fast cars also seem to have a complete lack of driving skills and a built in death wish. Obviously through lack of any driving experience.

You really do take your life in your hands when driving out here. And the poor condition of many roads doesn't help either.

Our car was written off last year following an accident caused by another (Iranian) driver who pulled out in front of us then, as my husband pulled out to avoid him, swerved to turn right in front of us. Despite taking further evasive action we couldn't miss him. Of course, we were the ones fined... Since then we have been seriously considering getting in car cameras that record, in a loop, ahead and behind day and night. It shouldn't be necessary but nearly every time we venture out in the car we witness accidents or have to take evasive action to avoid having one. We've always known the driving is bad here but I think it is getting worse.