Laws? What laws? - Paula Manoli-Gray

Last week, the non-government organisation 'Reaction' called for stronger penalties for drivers 'who do not ensure their child passengers are seated properly'. About time, but I doubt it will be enforced.

It is horrifying to see how many parents pick their children up from school and pop them in the front seat, often without a seatbelt, and many times standing, or moving around.

I am in no way going to justify this extremely dangerous habit, and it is certainly not something I would ever do, but this is once again one of those situations where cultural attitudes play a large part, rather than neglect. Most of these parents are otherwise good, loving, committed parents, but they are completely ignorant and blasé about the dangers, because we live on a small island that is more like one big neighbourhood. They reason that they only live a few minutes from the school so it is okay; their journey is too short for anything to happen, and it is not worth arguing with the child about sitting in their seat for the sake of travelling a small distance, so what harm is there?

The harm is over 4,300 children killed in car-related accidents in the EU every year, with 32% of these pertaining to children who are actually in a vehicle at the time of the accident. In no way, shape or form is it something you can rationalise, and it is not okay to expose vulnerable little lives to these risks, when as a parent or guardian, the responsibility for a child's safety is in your hands.

In the same vein, people still smoke in the car, speak on their mobile phones, speed, drive under the influence of alcohol and avoid wearing a seatbelt. The reason is again a cultural one; it has always been this way in Cyprus and as the laws are rarely enforced, what's the big deal?

We desperately need an attitude change. Firstly, and most importantly, the powers-that-be need to enforce the laws they make. Whilst law-breaking citizens are at fault and are not justified in their actions, one can almost understand the attitude of not taking the law seriously when the lawmakers themselves don't. And anyway, most of the time you can dodge any penalties courtesy of koumbaro or the flash of some bare skin if you are tall and blonde.

We all know that despite a no-smoking law in covered/public places, lawmakers themselves are lighting up left, right and centre (visit a court on any given day...). We all know that after 11pm, club and bar owners are 'unofficially' given the green light to allow their patrons to smoke, and anyone who complains is a social pariah. We all know that only a small percentage of perpetrators of any law breaking (traffic violations etc) will actually be booked in the first place, whilst a blind eye will be turned to the rest (traffic wardens in Larnaca are good at this). Laws on the island are basically one big joke.

So, let's have a pop quiz. Which of these (very) common practises are illegal: parking on the pavement, planting trees on the pavements outside your house, letting your dog foul the streets, lighting a bonfire on a beach. Do you know? Who cares anyway… this is Cyprus my friend!

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly, 10/10/14

October

The Spirit of Horrifying Halloween

Cessac's Charity Fayre Dhekelia

Come along and have fun at Cessac's Charity Fayre in Dhekelia.

When: Saturday 11th October 2014

Time: 10am - 3pm

A great day out for all the family, with raffle, games and many stalls, food & drink also available.

Stall holders wanted and for more information please call Chris or Maria on 24 723214

We always know better! - Paula Manoli-Gray

A couple of weeks into this new diversion in Vergina, and I am still fuming.

For those not familiar with the area, the diversion is a result of the new big roundabout that has been constructed near the stadium/hospital. There used to be a quick way out of my area, but they blocked it off permanently as part of the new road system and have diverted us – literally 'around the houses' - until the new exit is completed by the end of the year.

Now, I am not an unreasonable person and I understand that diversions are necessary, but what I cannot accept is that 'they' would create a time-consuming diversion that will last for months and cause great inconvenience when 'they' could have finished the new exit first, before permanently closing off the old one.

Does that not seem logical? Or is there some really important reason why they decided to leave the new exit till last and divert people. If there is, I would like to know it, but I personally believe it is just a lack of sensible planning and a complete disregard for what it actually means for people in the area to have to take this diversion several times a day for months on end.

This is one of those situations when I think I could have planned it better than the experts, and let's face it, we have all felt this before! How many times have you seen something in Larnaca and thought to yourself 'who on earth thought this was a good idea?' Some of the mistakes beggar belief, and you just know that behind them is someone who was handsomely paid for their mess!

I don't want to belittle the professionals who plan for the town and make projects happen, as I am sure there are many who are experts and do the job well, but sometimes one has to wonder who the other half are and how they got their jobs.

But maybe it is too easy for us little citizens to sit back and point out all the mistakes without actually having the experience of making these kind of big decisions… Which is why I think that the municipal council should open itself up to suggestions and ideas from the public when it comes to making big decisions instead of hiring consultants and experts who often expensively fudge it up.

I bet there are many people in Larnaca who care enough to offer sensible, innovative and successful ideas – either based on experience abroad or just plain logic - and I can imagine Larnaca thriving with input from its citizens.

Imagine if the residents of Vergina were asked about the diversion, I am sure they would have come up with something far more logical and convenient. In the same way, I am sure the residents of Piale Pashia could have reminded the powers-that-be that they actually need somewhere to park. And it doesn't take an expert to work out that there are ways to stop our roads flooding at the slightest bit of rain.

Sometimes it's the people on the ground who live and breathe a town that truly know what's best for it, not the men in suits.

First appeared in The Cyprus Weekly, 03/10/14