Harsher Penalties For Drunk Drivers

Families of traffic accident victims are advocating for harsher penalties for drunk drivers, proposing an increase from 7 to 14 years. The Legal, Political Affairs, and Foreign Relations Committee will review the new Criminal Code Bill on Wednesday, Kibris Postasi reports.

Gönül Sağır, administrator of the TRNC Traffic Accident Victims page, appealed for the end of such tragedies, stating, “I am fighting this battle for Cyprus“.

The TRNC Traffic Accident Victims group, uniting families who have lost loved ones, initiated a “black wreath” campaign to demand justice and prevent further road casualties. Despite their efforts, traffic accidents persist, and penalties remain inadequate. Families are calling for more effective deterrents from the authorities.

Gönül Sağır, whose 30-year-old son Cemre Yönet died in a traffic accident on the Kyrenia-Tatlısu main road, urged officials to prevent these heartbreaking incidents. She reported that since the start of the year, 25 people have died due to drivers using drugs, alcohol, or speeding. While the Committee plans to increase penalties from 7 to 10 years, Sağır advocates for separate, harsher penalties for drivers under the influence.

“I have spoken with MPs and Legal Committee members. Many grieving families want this penalty to be 14 years. Using alcohol and drugs is a personal choice. If it results in death, the price must be paid. Otherwise, more people will die in Cyprus“, she stated.

Sağır emphasised that the Committee will discuss the “Criminal (Amendment) Bill” on Wednesday, noting that in England, the penalty is 14 years and should be the same in North Cyprus. “Our people’s lives shouldn’t be this cheap. The value of a human life isn’t just 1-2 years“, she stressed, asserting that these individuals should be tried for murder.

Sağır shared that her son Cemre Yönet died aged 30 in an accident caused by a driver with a blood alcohol level of 285 pro ml. She mentioned other victims like Naved, Cihan, Büşra, and thousands of others who died due to drunk drivers. “Unless penalties are increased, these incidents won’t be prevented. My fight is not for my son; his killer will be judged under the old penalty. I am fighting for Cyprus“, she concluded.

Improve Driver Education and Road Conditions

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP and Committee member Ürün Solyalı highlighted the need for a comprehensive traffic master plan to prevent accidents. He stated that various aspects, from elementary education to road safety and driving course quality, must be addressed together.

Solyalı proposed solutions such as improving public transportation, finding alternative transport routes, and making agreements with taxi drivers. “Recently, another person died in an accident on the northern ring road. We need $2 million for lighting. This is a feasible amount for the state. Just increasing penalties causes concern but doesn’t completely prevent accidents“, he said, emphasising the importance of a holistic approach.

Kibris Postasi