Left-hand drive vehicle import ban under review

A BAN on importing left-hand drive vehicles to the TRNC is being reviewed, Public Works and Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı said on Monday.

Dr Arıklı, who was speaking during an interview on Kıbrıs TV, was asked about the issue after some media outlets claimed that plans were being drawn up to switch to driving on the right in North Cyprus, as in Turkey, reports that were denied by Prime Minister Ünal Üstel.

Dr Arıklı said a “scientific study” is being conducted on the effect that allowing left-hand drive vehicles to be imported would have on road safety.

He also said that next month he is planning to visit the production facilities of Togg, Turkey’s first domestic electric car.

“We will suggest that Togg is also manufactured as a right-hand drive vehicle,” he said. “Hopefully, we will receive a positive response to our proposal.”

Meanwhile the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association’s Traffic and Road Safety Working Group issued a statement last Saturday warning that allowing left-hand drive vehicles to be imported would lead to an increase in fatal accidents and called on the Public Works and Transport Ministry to take steps to improve road safety.

“In right-hand drive vehicles, the front right headlight is angled downwards to avoid dazzling the oncoming driver, while the left headlight is angled to illuminate the roadside and distances better.

“In addition, the exhaust is on the opposite side so it would emit harmful gases onto people walking on the roadside. People live in a country with left-hand traffic, get their driving licence by taking a test with right-hand drive vehicles and have learned all the traffic rules according to this system.

“While there are all types of righthand drive vehicles in the country, it is baffling as to who would push to import left-hand drive vehicles.”

The statement recalled that the TRNC banned left-hand drive vehicle imports in 2004 “to prevent more lives being lost to traffic terrorism”.

“Despite the painful experiences and lives lost, it is irrational and saddening to bring this issue up again after 18 years and expect that allowing this will end in a different result,” the statement added.