Brochure in English Language 2
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ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΟΔΗΓΟΣ ΚΟΚSOLIDARITYΚΟΚ - PROGRESS - PROSPERITY Message from the Director of Traffic Department of the Cyprus Police The present manual has been prepared in the framework of the implementation of the Action “Increasing Third Country Nationals' awareness of the road traffic rules in Cyprus”, which is funded by the European Fund for the Integration of Third Country Nationals of the Solidarity Funds. The ultimate aim of the project is to inform third countries’ nationals, legally residing in Cyprus, on the Cyprus Highway Code, as well as on the proper use of vehicles and on the relevant laws and regulations of the Cyprus Highway Code. This manual is being issued for the second time and it is an initiative interwoven with the efforts of the Traffic Department to continuously inform the public on issues related to road safety and with the implementation of various practices for addressing the traffic problems. We are sure that this project, which was implemented in collaboration with ENOROS Consulting LTD, can significantly contribute to the prevention and reduction of road accidents, since foreign drivers constitute one of the high risk groups in terms of causing accidents due to insufficient knowledge of the Regulations, the road network and other factors. We congratulate ENOROS Consulting LTD, for its initiative to organize and manage the specific actions, since such efforts can contribute effectively and decisively to improve the level of road safety in our country. I am convinced that this guide will constitute a valuable tool for third-country nationals residing in Cyprus. Demetris Demetriou Senior Police Officer Director of Traffic Department Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3 The current manual, entitled “Informative Guide to the Road Traffic Code of Cyprus for Third 2. General instructions on applied priorities on the road, speed limits, highways, seat- Country Nationals (TCNs)”, came of under the framework of implementing the Action belts, helmet, mobile phone........................................................................................ 4 “Increasing Third Country Nationals' awareness of the road traffic rules in Cyprus”. The 3. Road Signs ........................................................................................................... 9 project is funded by the Annual Program of the European Fund for the Integration of Third Country Nationals and it was implemented by “Enoros Consulting Ltd” and the Cyprus Police 4. Police hand-signals ........................................................................................... 17 (Traffic Department). 5. Overtaking ........................................................................................................ 18 6. Driving and Alcohol ........................................................................................... 20 The Action includes the realization of educational seminars for Third Country Nationals (TCNs) 7. Stopping distances............................................................................................ 21 residing in Cyprus, focused on the rules of the Road Traffic Code, along with the proper use and driving of vehicles (car, motorbike, bicycle, etc.), according to the provisions of the relevant 8. The Right Use of Roundabouts .......................................................................... 21 legislation and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus. The educative seminars are conducted in 9. Controlled Square crossing (crossed area.)........................................................ 23 all districts of Cyprus, with a six-hour long duration of theoretical training and a following four- 10. Lines on the road .............................................................................................. 24 hour long practice with the use of vehicles. 11. Pedestrian Crossings ........................................................................................ 26 12. Documents of the Motor Vehicles Drivers........................................................... 28 In particular, the “Informative Guide to the Road Traffic Code of Cyprus for third country nationals (TCNs)” is a handy and useful manual that includes basic topics of the Road Traffic Code in 13. General duties / responsibilities Driving Motor Vehicles ...................................... 28 Cyprus. The study and use of the Guide by the Third Country Nationals is expected to upgrade their knowledge and skills on the road conduct rules applicable in the Republic of Cyprus and, thus, to improve the quality of their everyday life in Cyprus. Nicosia, May 2014 2 3 2. General instructions on applied priorities on the road, speed limits, Before changing to rightmost or leftmost lane all the necessary warning signs should be given, highways, seat-belts, helmet, mobile phone. and the driver of the overtaking car, under the circumstances, must take all the necessary measures for safe lane change. Rule: In Cyprus we drive on the left hand side of the road. Drivers are not allowed to overtake vehicles from the left EXCEPT in the case where the traffic congestion in the middle or rightmost lanes of traffic moving slower than the traffic on the leftmost Priorities: While driving on a major road, if we want to turn left into a secondary road we have lane, so vehicles can the leftmost lanes to overtake continuing their course. the priority of movements. To turn right from a major road into a secondary road, we have to give priority to oncoming traffic. Approaching a major road from secondary road we always stop The driving on the highway, where the roadway has three lanes is subject to the following unless there’s a “give way” sign where we slow down and give priority to cars on the major road. Driving Rules: Coming on to roundabouts, we give way to cars approaching from the right. (i) The motor vehicles move on the left lane. Specific Driving Rules on the Highway The highway has a maximum and minimum speed limit of 100 and 65 kilometers per hour, (ii) You may use the middle or right lane for normal driving or overtaking, when for any reason respectively. the left lane is busy for both time and distance needed to return to the left lane or prioritize vehicle enters the highway: Driving a vehicle on a highway or speed lane by a person who holds a student license for the vehicle which leads is not allowed, except for training purposes only and provided that it is Before the change in rightmost lane should be given all the necessary warning signs and take all accompanied by a licensed driver instructor, or for testing purposes for obtaining full driving necessary measures for safe lane change. license. Use of Traffic Lanes: (iii) It is not permitted to overtake vehicles, from left, except in the case where the traffic congestion in the middle or rightmost lane is moving slower than the traffic in the leftmost lane, so vehicles from the left lane can overtake from left continuing their course. When there are two, three or more lanes on the road surface: (iv) The use of the right lane is not permitted from: (a) The motor vehicles move on the left lane, • Vehicles towed trailers. (b) It is allowed to use the middle, or the outer lanes for: • Heavy duty motor vehicles with a gross weight greater than 7.5 tones. normal driving or overtaking when the left or the leftmost lanes are occupied, and both • Buses with a gross weight greater than 7.5 tones. time and distance needed to return to the left lane, or to prioritize vehicle entering the freeway or highway, Reversion to the pavement in the same direction or the opposite direction at any point on the motorway or highway is prohibited, except only to emergency vehicles. 4 5 PROHIBITION OF PRESENTATION PEOPLE Seat Belts The presence or movement in any part of the highway is not allowed, unless: The installation of safety belts and their use by the driver and all occupants in the front and rear seats of all passenger vehicles, and trucks, particularly those that have registered in the Republic • is a driver or passenger of a vehicle that is traveling or parked legally on a highway after 28/12/2007, it has become mandatory. • is a worker or technician dealing with projects of any kind in this area, • is a police officer, firefighter, doctor or nurse performing service, Children less than 150 cm can be ridden seated in any seat in the following classes of vehicles • is a person associated with the test car accident or helping victims of accidents or, are equipped with safety systems, whether held by a system adapted to the child's weight (according to weight categories described below): • a technical or other person associated with the repair, towing or moving of vehicle with goods and other objects. Children with height of less than 150cm, can be ridden seated in any seat in the following classes of vehicles, which are equipped with safety systems, whether held by a system adapted to the child's weight (according to weight categories described below): ANIMAL TRSPORT (i) Class of M1 (vehicles for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight Anyone who is responsible for transporting the animal with a motor vehicle using the highway or seats in addition to the driver's seat). fast lane must ensure that the animal: (ii) Class N1 (vehicles for the transport of goods having a maximum mass not (i) will not move from the vehicle, or exceeding 3.5 tones), (iii) Class N2 (vehicles