Important changes to Cyprus law: when drivers must move cars after an accident

A bill has been submitted to the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus, intended to radically change the rules of conduct for drivers in minor road accidents in order to eliminate the multi-kilometer traffic jams that regularly arise on key highways and city streets because participants in minor collisions block traffic for hours while waiting for patrol services.

Under the new legislative initiative, if there are no injuries in an accident and the vehicles are able to move, drivers will be required to immediately move them to the shoulder or the nearest parking area, having first taken several clear photographs or video recordings of the position of the vehicles and the damage for insurance companies.

For refusing to clear the road voluntarily and creating an artificial bottleneck, a fixed administrative fine is proposed for violators, while the police will completely stop responding to calls for minor accidents without injuries, except in cases where the participants do not have insurance or there is suspicion of alcohol or drug intoxication.

At present, the bill has been sent for discussion to the relevant parliamentary transport committee, and if approved by lawmakers, the new rules will become mandatory for all motorists.