The government appears set to re-evaluate the penalties being imposed to motorists causing serious or fatal traffic accidents, according to Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou.

Speaking to Phileleftheros, the minister said that the University of Cyprus’s law department had been tasked with evaluating the current punishments in place for motorists found guilty of causing serious or fatal road accidents by means of negligent or dangerous driving.

State prosecutors and legal experts say the punishment simply doesn’t fit the crime when it comes to the district courts imposing sentences for traffic related offenses.

Whereas in some countries motorists can be jailed for as much as ten years or even more for causing a road fatality by means of a negligent act, in Cyprus, motorists will not be jailed for more than three years while some have managed to avoid prison time altogether.

Nicolaou said “the possibility of adding additional charges to the current penal code must be looked into” adding that the changes will need to act as a deterrent for those committing traffic offenses.

Cyprus continues to have one of the worst road death fatality ratios within the EU despite constant clampdowns and campaigns by police to raise awareness about the problems of speeding and drink driving.