Greece is now slapping massive fines on people breaking traffic laws
Riding a moped to the beach without a helmet or driving through Athens while holding a phone to your ear will soon bring painful fines under Greece's strict new traffic laws set to be passed in parliament this week.
Greece had previously been known in Europe for its relatively hands-off approach to road safety, one that many tourists took advantage of, but also for its relatively high rate of road fatalities.
Now, under the government's crackdown on speeding, driving while making calls and other traffic offences, the following fines await rule-breakers on Greek roads:
Using a mobile phone at the wheel
Anyone caught using a mobile phone while driving will face a €350 fine and a 30-day driving licence suspension. For a second offence, the fine increases to €1,000, and the licence will be suspended for six months. A third offence will result in a €2,000 fine and a one-year driving ban.
Riding without a helmet
The same severe penalties will apply to motorcyclists riding without a helmet, as well as passengers riding without one. According to the Greek Traffic Association, one in five motorcyclists ride without a helmet. Motorcyclists account for 38% of road fatalities in Greece, compared to the EU average of 18%. More than two-thirds of motorcyclists who died in accidents were not wearing helmets.
Speed limits
In narrow streets and alleys, the speed limit will be reduced to 30 km/h, while on main urban roads, the limit will remain at 50 km/h. On motorways, however, the speed limit will be raised to 140 km/h from the current 130 km/h. Speeding fines will vary depending on the degree the limit was exceeded, with penalties reaching up to €8,000 and a four-year driving licence suspension for those caught driving at over 200 km/h.
Street racing and road rage
Particularly high penalties are planned for improvised street races and aggressive behaviour in traffic, such as physical altercations. The law stipulates a €2,000 fine and a one-year driving ban for a first offence. Repeat offenders will face a €4,000 fine and a two-year ban, while a third offence will result in an €8,000 fine and a four-year driving ban.
Alcohol and smoking
It is already prohibited in Greece to smoke while driving in the presence of children under 12 years old. Additionally, the blood alcohol limit is 0.5. Drivers caught exceeding this limit face fines starting at €1,000 and, depending on the severity of the offence, driving bans of up to 10 years.
Comprehensive insurance recommended
Tourists driving in Greece are advised by traffic clubs to take out comprehensive travel insurance. That's because of the approximately 8 million vehicles on Greek roads, an estimated 500,000 are uninsured. The government plans to address this issue, but until then, defensive driving is recommended to avoid accidents, as they can be costly even if you are not at fault.
Parking restrictions for motorhomes
Since the beginning of the year, stricter rules have been enforced for motorhomes. Parking a motorhome for more than 24 hours in one spot is now prohibited unless it is on a campsite or a parking area designated for motorhomes by the local municipality.
Fines for motorhome parking violations are steep: €300 per person. If a camper disputes the fine or flees police, and the case goes to court, penalties can reach up to €3,000 and even three months in prison.
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