Greece’s New Traffic Code Implements Stricter Penalties

The news in Greek

1. κυβέρνηση  (f.)
   Ομάδα ατόμων που διοικούν μια χώρα. ↩︎
2. παρουσιάζω
   Δείχνω κάτι δημόσια ή καινούργιο. ↩︎
3. βελτίωση  (f.)
   Η κατάσταση να γίνεται καλύτερη. ↩︎
4. επαναλαμβανόμενος
   Που συμβαίνει πολλές φορές ξανά. ↩︎
5. επήρεια  (f.)
   Η κατάσταση να επηρεάζεται κάποιος από ουσίες. ↩︎
6. παράνομος
   Που δεν είναι σύμφωνα με τον νόμο. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What is one of the main changes in Greece’s new traffic code?

Question 2: What will change regarding speed limits in cities according to the new code?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
κυβέρνηση  (f.)	government
παρουσιάζω	present
βελτίωση  (f.)	improvement
επαναλαμβανόμενος	repeated
επήρεια  (f.)	influence
παράνομος	illegal

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The Greek government has introduced a new Traffic Code aiming to address the country’s high rate of road-related fatalities, which remain amongst the highest in the European Union. The legislation, recently presented to the Greek Parliament, is designed to enhance road safety through stringent measures addressing various traffic violations.

One of the key components is the concept of recidivism, where penalties for repeated violations will now accumulate rather than reset. This means drivers who frequently commit traffic offences will face increasingly harsh consequences, including substantial fines and potential license suspension or criminal prosecution depending on the severity of the violation and its impact.

The regulation introduces severe penalties for drivers using mobile phones while operating a vehicle. Usage rates of mobile devices while driving in Greece are significantly higher than the EU average. Under the new code, repeat offenders could be fined up to €4,000, face license revocations up to eight years, or be subjected to criminal charges if their actions result in an accident.

Drunk driving is another critical focus, with almost 25% of fatal road accidents attributed to alcohol consumption. The new rules impose hefty fines starting at €1,000, potentially reaching €4,000 for recurring offences, and license suspension for up to 10 years. In severe intoxication cases, cars will be immobilized, and criminal charges may follow.

A poor compliance rate with seatbelt and helmet laws is also being addressed. Only 71% of Greek drivers consistently use seatbelts, compared to 93.3% in the EU. Similar trends are seen in motorcycle helmet usage. The reform targets both riders and passengers, mandating penalties across the board, with drivers risking a year’s license suspension for repeated non-compliance.

Speed limits are seeing significant regulation changes, lowering city speeds to 30 km/h to enhance pedestrian safety. For high-speed violations, penalties can escalate dramatically, with extreme cases, like driving over 200 km/h, resulting in €8,000 fines and a four-year license suspension.

Illegal parking, particularly blocking disability ramps, is being heavily penalized. Over a million parking violations occur annually, a significant number impacting accessibility and urban flow. The new code establishes fines up to €2,000 and license suspensions for persistent offenders.

The amendments also aim to improve public transport efficiency by tightening control over bus lanes, restricting access largely to zero-emission vehicles and those transporting passengers with disabilities. This measures seek to enhance the reliability and functionality of urban transport networks.

Technological advancements will support these initiatives, with increased utilization of surveillance cameras and digital monitoring by police forces. This will aid in enforcing the new regulations and issuing fines directly through online platforms.

The overhaul represents a cultural shift towards adherence and respect for road laws, as emphasized by officials from the Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The ultimate goal remains the protection of human life over financial penalties, fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among drivers.

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