Road safety ambassadors for 2026 honoured at Mathiatis ceremony

Lifetime road safety ambassador titles and road safety ambassador distinctions for 2026 were awarded on Wednesday at the “Makis Giorgallas” military camp in Mathiatis, during an event held about the work of the Road Safety Council.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades, Justice Minister Costas Fytiris and Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.

Lena Katelari and Alexis Demetriou were honoured with the title of lifetime road safety ambassadors, while Renos Evangelakis and Adonis Christofides were named road safety ambassadors for 2026, as part of broader efforts to strengthen prevention and promote responsible road behaviour.

In his address, Vafeades described the initiative as both institutional and deeply personal, noting that its aim is to reduce suffering on the road network.

He expressed thanks to the police, which he described as the “front line” of the effort, as well as to the National Guard for hosting the event.

Referring to Katelari and Demetriou, he said they are being honoured because they are already carrying out work they will continue “for life”. He added that the Road Safety Council intends to support initiatives proposed by them through the transport ministry’s budget.

Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said that the effort for safer roads is ongoing and requires the participation of all, noting that those honoured, through their actions, strengthen public awareness and the importance of respecting road safety rules.

“Every year dozens of our fellow citizens lose their lives or suffer serious injuries in road accidents,” he said, stressing that changing road safety culture remains one of the major challenges for the state and society.

Justice Minister Costas Fytiris said road safety is not only a matter of rules and enforcement, but primarily one of daily behaviour, responsibility and culture.

He noted that the initiative is particularly important because “we are not simply awarding titles”, but honouring people “who did not remain mere spectators” and “found the strength to speak out, to warn, to touch consciences”. He added that the contribution of those honoured is voluntary and “for that reason carries even greater value”.

In her remarks, Katelari said that being named a lifetime road safety ambassador is not only an honour, but also a responsibility towards society, young people and “every life unjustly lost on the roads”.

She said that behind every number and statistic there is a human life, a family and a dream that was never fulfilled. She stressed that behind the title lies “a lifelong promise” to continue efforts towards the vision of “zero” road collisions, adding that “we cannot accept loss”.

She also referred to her son Giorgos, in whose memory the Road Safety Foundation “Giorgos Mavrikios” was established, stressing that she will not stop striving “so that no other mother finds herself in my position”.

Alexis Demetriou thanked all stakeholders contributing to the joint effort, noting that the Road Safety Council is a collective undertaking involving relevant ministries, the police and other services.

He said the shared goal is for society “to finally reach zero. Zero accidents”, adding that the presence of ambassadors in camps and schools aims to help young people make the right decisions at critical moments, so that road safety becomes “a matter of conscious awareness”.