It is an undeniable fact that the overpopulation of cars in Cyprus has become a serious issue.
Not so much for the automotive manufacturers (who are thriving), but for the congestion of the road network.
There are now so many cars that we face a traffic problem that leaves no alternatives for the more discerning (and rightly so) drivers. Even the “secret” backroads are now congested as drivers attempt to avoid the main roads, which regularly become blocked, and because there are apps like Waze that offer optimal alternatives even to those who were unaware of them before.
In short, we are doomed to die in our cars while trying to get from home to our children’s school and then to work. Once, you might have needed around 20 minutes, but now it takes 20 minutes just to travel straight from your house to the corner to make a turn.
Four such trips now equate to the average human lifespan. Especially in Limassol and Nicosia, it would be better to invest in a helicopter than to buy a house. You may not have a place to stay, but at least you won’t waste your youth behind a steering wheel.
However, who has come to ally with this problem of car overpopulation?
The betrayed partner from next door.
The former colleague or partner who was cheated out of their share.
The trafficker from the neighboring criminal organization that made better sales this month.
The neighbor who is blocked from entering their garage and is fed up.
And what do all these people have in common?
They now resolve their differences by setting cars on fire.
Because apparently, this is the easiest and most immediate way of revenge. Did you go with my best friend? Did you take my money? Did you eat my pizza one too many times? If we lived in medieval times, I would challenge you to a duel. I would throw down the gauntlet. I would slip poison into your wine.
If we lived in the 80s, I would wish for your shoulder pads to fall apart or for your video player to break down.
In 2025, I set your car ablaze.
Almost every day we wake up to identical news.
Arson target: a 30-year-old’s car.
Fire in a 28-year-old’s vehicle.
A vehicle belonging to a 52-year-old engulfed in flames outside their home.
You might say, if I open someone’s head with an axe, I’ll become a hero in a TV movie that I don’t want (I don’t like publicity) AND I’ll go to jail AND I’ll lose my axe. How can I keep a murder weapon? Am I crazy?
Whereas if I burn their car, I vent my frustration, take my revenge, and do a service to the traffic problem.
You might ask if one car solves the problem? Of course not. But we are not alone. We are two, we are three, we are thirteen hundred wronged individuals who believe that this – not so – “manly” choice is the answer to what has been done to us.
Who knows? Tomorrow or the day after, someone else might seek revenge on me with the same coin. They might set fire to my car.
Gradually and patiently, we will feed our grievances until only 100-200 cars remain on the road belonging to those who have done no wrong and have no disputes with anyone.
All the rest of us will star in this blog buster adventure with guest star the police playing the role of Pontic Pilate.
Father Ratsis
