7 February 2025 - Citizens' safety is not a game
The revelation that for over a decade, the Cypriot authorities have not taken the necessary steps to inform and protect citizens is a serious negligence that cannot be ignored.
The Department of Road Transport (TOM) and the relevant state officials from 2010 until now bear serious responsibility for the fact that over 80,000 vehicles subject to recalls are circulating undisturbed on the roads without their owners being informed in a timely manner. It is inconceivable that cars with defective equipment – such as the Takata airbags – which have been proven to have caused fatal accidents, are still in circulation, with the authorities not having imposed their immediate replacement.
At the same time, the solution provided by free bus transportation for affected drivers is nothing more than a mockery, unless the state decided to do overnight what it has not done for decades, namely to provide a reliable and functional public transportation network.
The disciplinary investigation announced by the Ministry of Transport is not enough.
Volt demands:
Disciplinary and criminal liability for those state officials who allowed the situation to escalate.
Full transparency in the entire process that will be adopted, with the publication of both the terms of reference that will be set and the final conclusion.
Adoption of a specific action plan, with a clear timetable, to ensure that all dangerous vehicles are immediately withdrawn for repair.
Intervention by the Consumer Service so that the cost of recalls and repairs is not borne by citizens but by importers and manufacturers.
Legislation to ensure that in the future no unchecked vehicles will be imported and no vehicles subject to recalls are circulating on the roads.
Protecting human life is not optional. Volt will continue to push for immediate solutions and for a state that operates preventively and not after the holidays.