Cyprus parliament mandates moving vehicles after minor road accidents

The Cyprus House of Representatives has passed an amendment to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Law, making it mandatory for drivers to move their vehicles following minor traffic accidents if specific conditions are met. Proposed by Dimitris Dimitriou on behalf of the Democratic Rally (DISY), the legislation aims to reduce traffic congestion caused by vehicles remaining on the road after minor incidents. The amendment criminalizes the failure to move vehicles, non-compliance with established procedures, and the act of encouraging or coercing others to violate these provisions. The sponsor noted that previous legislation passed in the summer was ineffective because it required mutual consent from both drivers to move their vehicles, a clause that insurers reportedly exploited. The bill was passed with 23 votes in favor from DISY, DIKO, DEPA, the Greens, and three independent MPs, while 13 members of AKEL voted against it and one member of ELAM abstained. Valentinos Fakontis of AKEL argued that while the goal is positive, the law unfairly shifts responsibility and potential legal risks onto the drivers. The new law seeks to align Cyprus with international practices to improve traffic flow.