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Traffic in Cyprus
Driving on the left
If you come from UK, driving in Cyprus will not be different for you as the traffic moves on the
left. Front seatbelt use is a compulsory. Children under five are not allowed to occupy the front
seats and if between five to ten years old, they can sit in front only if wearing seatbelts.
Driving and Alcohol
Drunk-driving laws are as strict as in the UK or North America or even stricter: 39 mg of alcohol
allowed per 100 ml of breath (50 mg in the North). If you happen to be caught in the North, you will
pay a stiff fine and spend the night in a drying-out cell.
Speed Limits in the South
There is a 100 kph (minimum 65 kph) speed limit on dual carriageways, 80 kph on the rural roads and
50 kph in towns. The entries into urban area zones are signed as 'Build-up Areas'.
Speed Limits in the North
The speed limits are nearly the same, but still may be posted in miles per hour: 100 kph/60mph on
the Kyrenia - Nicosia - Famagusta highway, 60 kph/40 mph on the smaller back roads and 50 kph/30 mph
in built-up areas. Watch the road signs attentively.
Speed Traps
Urban boundaries are not clearly sign-marked in the North, but there are khaki-drill-clad policemen
holding speed traps with radar devices in their hands, mainly at town outskirts. A well-known trap spot
for netting large numbers of drivers is just west of Kyrenia, near the military camp, in particular on
weekend nights. If you are caught, police is apt to behave politely. There is a fifteen day term to
pay your citations at the district police station; if you do not, your name might be added into airport
computer at departure. Fines (£ 4 -5) are geared to local salaries and thus may seem very low to
tourists, however follow the rules and the road signs. Radar speed traps are now commonly used on the
motorways of the South.
Parking
In the larger towns of South Cyprus there can be found many parking lots designated, they are not
expensive (C£0.40 or C£0.50) for a half day in Nicosia or Larnaca is the most you will ever pay. The
parking meters on the commercial streets take twenty cent coins per hour and yellow lines at kerbsides
signify the same as in UK: single, no parking during business hours; double, no parking or stopping
at all. In North Cyprus parking zones are poorly indicated, though a policeman can appear and politely
announce you to park your vehicle elsewhere as advised. Car parks are called Oto Parks.
Road Conditions
When in the South, the roads vary in four scales: in descending order of quality, A, B, E, and F, as
signed on maps and highways. 'A' roads are of the best quality, four-lane divided motorways linking
Nicosia with Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Agia Napa, while 'B' roads are major undivided highways
provided as a rule with verges. At the other end of the grade, 'E' are two-lane country roads while
'F' can mean either a one-lane paved dive or a dirt track fit only for jeep or a geared mountain bike.
Much of the F or sub-F roads across the island are single-lane colonial relics covered with a thick
layer of asphalt over British cobbles. They are extremely bumpy with sharp edges and are netted in the
vast and distant areas, however, in some frequent tourist locations too. Lack of lane markings on E
and F roads, and blind corners with no mirrors aggravate the effects of bad local driving.
Signposting
In Cyprus signposting varies, village exits are usually not apparent, so it is better to ask locals
or passers-by about the directions. By contrast, the Troodos range forestry roads are almost always
marked with the white letters on a green background. In North Cyprus, however, many rural signs are
badly faded. In some frequently visited spots in the Kyrenia Mountains the condition of signs is
better.
Car Hire
Hiring a car is the best solution for exploring the island on your own.
There are many car hire companies in all major towns that offer various brands
at reasonable prices.
Check also borders crossing when transferring from the North to the South and
vice versa.
Scooters and Cycles
In the southern coastal resort there is an opportunity of renting a small scooter for C£4-7 a day
(or even C£15 a week); few people will want to take them further than the beach, as you will get scant
respect from four-wheeled motorists on curvy mountain roads. In the South the crash helmet is necessary
for anything over 50 cc. Rental of motor-scooters and pedal-bikes occur very little in the North, with
just a few outlets in downtown Kyrenia during summer only.
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