Cyprus ministry sets new speed limits in urban and historic zones

Cyprus Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Alexis Vafeadis, has issued a decree officially designating 19 specific areas across the country where vehicle speed limits are now strictly restricted to 20 or 30 kilometers per hour. This legislative move formalizes what was previously a fragmented approach, as the measures were previously implemented only sporadically by individual municipalities and community councils.

The new regulations primarily target historic city centers and residential zones. The objective of the policy is to improve road safety by providing better protection for pedestrians and cyclists, while simultaneously reducing noise pollution and atmospheric emissions. Authorities also cited accident history at specific road junctions as a key factor in selecting the affected locations.

While some local authorities had already adopted such lower speed limits independently, the minister has now exercised his statutory powers to standardize these traffic regulations nationwide. By establishing this formal framework, the government aims to promote sustainable mobility and ensure consistent traffic safety management across all urban cores.