Would it be worth a try

[elizabeth]

Driving around we see so many advertising boards at the side of the roads, casinos, Turkcell, hotels, clothing etc, in fact of late they seem to be springing up everywhere. Would it be worth the Government trying to improve road safety by changing these signs to such as Speed Kills, Seat Belts Save Lives, Switch phones off when behind the wheel, Keep Children Safe by using a car seat.
The police could also be given the power to issue on the spot fines for driving offences with fines that would make an impact, not some ridiculously low amount.
There is never a week goes by without reports of yet another death on the roads, when is something going to be done.

[cyprusishome]

I think most of those signs are a distraction to the driver and should be banned.
However I agree 100% with your comments regarding road safety and maybe it is this sort of advert that should be on the big screens that are appearing around towns.

I think the most effective adverts are the ones that we had in UK from 1960's on starting with "clunk, click every trip" followed by all those gruesome ones of accident victims. One of the best was the one where the question is posed "which family member is the one most likely to kill you"? If you never saw it, it is your unrestrained child in the back seat who in an accident is propelled at high speed against the drivers head. Result, one dead child and one dead parent!!!!

[Mollie the cat]

You would be flogging a dead horse!!
The driving here is appalling as we all know, kids rolling around in the front seats, people on the phone, overtaking on bends, fast driving, no seat belts, poor condition of vehicles,it all goes on, never seen anything like it! Great idea in principle but given the mentallity of the driving here no chance.

[Owl Lady]

Imo the biggest hazzard is the huge screen at the bottom of the Lefkosa/Girne road by the roundabout.Also the row of hoardings on the road down to the Colony, hiding a building site presumably!Who gives permission for these to be erected,they obviously raise a lot of money(for whom)?

[cyprusishome]

The driving of some does leave a lot to be desired but without the proper education there will be no change.
When I started driving the same things happening here happened in the UK. Nobody wore seat belts, children sat in front etc plus drink driving was the norm in many areas. Gradually things changed, the UK is still not perfect judging by my infrequent visits, here there has got to be a change sooner rather than later, adverts are one thing but a change in driving test, MOT and punitive action have got to come from government.

There are many laws already in place which if adhered to and police prosecuted offenders driving would improve.

[elizabeth]

You would be flogging a dead horse!!
The driving here is appalling as we all know, kids rolling around in the front seats, people on the phone, overtaking on bends, fast driving, no seat belts, poor condition of vehicles,it all goes on, never seen anything like it! Great idea in principle but given the mentallity of the driving here no chance.

Surely that is more reason for trying to improve the standard of driving, how many more lives must be lost before something is done, any attempt must be better than nothing.

[belle]

What has happened to 'we are guests in their country brigade' so we must change don't you dare complain about anything here or you will be condemned and accused of all sorts

[elizabeth]

What has happened to 'we are guests in their country brigade' so we must change don't you dare complain about anything here or you will be condemned and accused of all sorts

I may only be a guest in this country but that doesn't mean I should accept the deaths of people without questioning how things could be improved.
I am not interested in your point scoring game Belle, I think the loss of life, as in last week when a young mother and her eighteen month old daughter were killed, or the week before when a twenty three year old young man was killed, are far more important and guest or not we should try to reduce the pointless waste of lives.
It's not going to change overnight but things have to start somewhere and education may be the first step.

[suel5]

Driving standards here are appalling. Safety in cars in non existent. Agree with cyprusishome that it is all about education for the people here. We had to be educated in the uk on safe driving. It took us a while to get there, although you will never educate all. Still idiots everywhere in the world

[belle]

Elizabeth, you cannot pick and choose, the driving here is dreadful as is hunting little birds, I speak out on both and all wrongs, can you say the same? you are quick to judge me and ask why I post on here when I have nothing good to say about the TRNC, you do not know me or anything about me so think before you speak!.

[carolhm]

I don't know you either , but I do know that your rude and insulting .
You get away with it time and time again

[Soner]

Totally agree with educating, and again Belle was waiting for you to jump in on this topic.

Ban drivers that have major accidents. Look at what happened just yesterday in UK, 130 car pile-up: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-23984059 One drivers excuse was that he thought it was going to be a sunny day.....did he not see the fog when he was driving through it?

Beyond me.

[Soner]

Elisabeth, BTW the government get money from the advertisers. Even if you own the land, or rent it to put your board up, you have to obtain a licence/permission, which is payable annually to the government.

[elizabeth]

Elisabeth, BTW the government get money from the advertisers. Even if you own the land, or rent it to put your board up, you have to obtain a licence/permission, which is payable annually to the government.

Perhaps the Government could start by putting the boards on their own land, and then introducing proper Road Safety Education to all .

[Jonnie]

I would

1. Introduce more stops to ensure drivers are licensed and carry insurance. I know people driving with no licence.

2. Introduce stricter standards for driving tests and education at an early level. This should include road use, correct use of lanes on dual sections, "tailgateing" and following recognised driving procedures like not randomly stopping on a main road to let someone pull out.

3. Introduce a risk based insurance premium, ie higher risk higher premium.

4. 12 month ban following maximum points on licence or 6 months with re training

5 Increased punishment for repeat offenders.

6. Severe punishment for mobile phone use.

I do not think car condition is as such a major cause of accident however at spot checks things should be picked up on like tyres, lights being out and overloading. I am also not too bothered about seat belts, always wear mine and if a bad driver wants to take themselves out of the gene pool by bashing his skull on the screen rail fair enough but it is a bit inconsiderate to the family who they leave behind.

[Halffull]

You make me laugh, driving along today and coming the other way was a police car and the driver was talking on his mobile phone having a right laugh, and no seat belt! You can't educate pork!! (an old saying and not meant to offend anyone)
When I was learning to drive my instructor told me to accept that every other driver was an idiot and expect them to do something stupid (or expect the unexpected!) It has served me well and I prefer to drive here than in the UK these days

[Jonnie]

I know what you mean, I was being tailgated the other day by a man in police uniform who then overtook me in a no overtaking area. However I firmly believe you are wrong, people can be educated however some attitudes are harder to change.

[cyprusishome]

I think it is an ignorant point of view that people cannot be educated in road sense. I reiterate my points about the UK - nobody will wear seat belts was the original sentiment but following EDUCATION the majority of people wear them in both front and back seats. The same with drink, driving, it used to be the norm but with EDUCATION is now reduced drastically. High pressure tv advertising is the way forward with EDUCATING people who use cars. Plus making the police do some work tackling the real traffic offenders.

Back to MOT. Get that right and you get a large number of cars off the road overnight, the drivers of which in many case do not have correct documentation, or have passed suitable driving tests.