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A driver posting a video of controlling a car with his feet did the rounds on social media platforms, prompting the police to issue a stern warning that driving like a clown is no joke.
Well, it might have come as a surprise to our thin blue line that every day on every road, joker drivers are making an absolute hash of the highway code.
Cypriots are experts at rewriting the laws of the road as they hurtle at high speeds in built-up areas and treat pedestrians as if they are obstacles to be knocked down.
Not only does Cyprus have a serious lack of pavements, proper lighting and a regime of common courtesy, but pedestrians are also treated like roadkill – why stop when you can run over them.
Cyprus ranks a shameful fourth from bottom in Europe for fatal urban road accidents the European Transport Safety Council report revealed earlier this year.
Urban mortality is the highest in Romania with 105 deaths per million inhabitants – four times the EU average – followed by Croatia (88), Serbia (74) and then Cyprus (60).
Unsurprisingly, the report said "progress" in reducing deaths has stalled in Cyprus, the UK and Spain.
Experts agree that poor driving awareness and the lack of adequate policing on Cyprus roads constitute a deadly blend.
Despite Cyprus significantly reducing road accidents and fatalities over the past 20 years, the death rate as a ratio of the population is still high while EU targets dictate the island must find ways to reduce fatalities to less than 30 a year.
The guy with the dancing feet at the wheel did get done for reckless driving, but the fact his video went viral, also reflects the psychology of the typical Cypriot driver.
Although the unorthodox driving video lit up the internet, it was mainly out of amusement rather than shock at watching somebody with both feet on the wheel while cruising down a motorway.
The 43-year-old protagonist also seemed to find his actions amusing and worthy of entertainment as he used at least one hand to capture the incident on his mobile phone.
Even though the police took to twitter to remind people such behaviour endangers lives on our notoriously lethal roads, there is a very high tolerance level for bad driving and terrible road manners.
Having said that, some motorists might be better off driving with their feet because their hands are usually nowhere near the wheel or dangling out the window.
None of us are perfect drivers, we have all lapsed but maintaining good habits is a thankless task amid the chaos and randomness of fellow road users.
Following the rules is no longer an option on our highways and avenues, you have to fight for every inch or get crushed in the rush to block the other driver’s right of way.
Reintroduction of traffic cameras is long overdue, but will it reduce the number of delivery bikes taking risks to beat the traffic or underage drivers screaming around on their mopeds.
What about the self-entitled who park wherever they want or feel it’s okay to take up two parking spaces in a car park because they don’t believe in straight lines. Then there is that special breed who believe disabled drivers don’t need designated spots.
We are too dependent on the car; we don’t go anywhere without it while walking to your vehicle is the most strenuous exercise many people get.
Police managed to track down the driver in the viral video to charge him with reckless driving but their zeal for stamping out aggressive driver behaviour seems to dissolve once out on the streets.
Most people bend the road safety rules or cross the yellow line convinced they can get away it with as nobody is around to pull them over.
When Cyprus did introduce traffic cameras there was a marked decrease in violations such as running a red light and speeding offences.
Cypriot motorists were aware that Big Brother was out there and ready to pounce on any infraction, that same fear no longer permeates their consciousness, so legal boundaries get pushed to the limits.
It’s a tall order but we need to unwind by spreading the word that showing a little civility goes a long way.
Do not tailgate the driver in front, don’t use your beam when normal lights suffice, get in lane at roundabouts and keep that road rage in the glove box.
Besides, we need to start afresh by teaching the younger generation that road manners save lives and the need for speed isn’t the most essential thing on wheels.
This journey of self-discovery must begin at school because, by the time they are ready to drive, it may already be too late.
