Up to 10 years in prison for speeding

With the recent introduction of law 5039/2023 in Greece, speeding regulations have become much tighter. Exceeding the speed limit is now punished very severely.

With the introduction of new regulations by the Department of Justice, speeding drivers may be subject to severe criminal penalties. In particular, the new measures provide for imprisonment for a term up to three (3) years, if the act is likely to result in a “general danger to the property of others”. If there is a danger to human life, the term of imprisonment is at least one (1) year.

However, the penalties can be even more severe. If the act results in grievous bodily harm or significant damage to public property, the term of imprisonment may be up to ten (10) years. In addition, if speeding results in the death of someone, the term of imprisonment is a minimum of ten (10) years. In cases where the result of a traffic violation was the death of a large number of people, the court has the opportunity to appoint life imprisonment.

Law 5039/2023 – Government Gazette issue A 83/03.04.2023

“Measures to support the relatives of victims and victims of the Tempi railway accident on February 28, 2023, pensions, provisions to enhance transport safety, provisions to strengthen development, measures to modernize tourism legislation and other urgent provisions.

Article 66

Dangerous driving – exceeding the speed limit – amendment of Article 290A of the Criminal Code

In pp. Article 290A 1 of the Criminal Code (Law 4619/2019, A’ 95) adds c’ and d’ and Article 290A is amended as follows:

dangerous driving

Any person who, while driving on roads or squares:
(a) drives a vehicle even though he is unable to do so safely because of alcohol or drug use, or because of physical and mental exhaustion;

(b) drives a vehicle on national or regional roads in the opposite direction of traffic, or on sidewalks, footpaths and squares, or drives a vehicle that is technically unsafe or loaded in an unsafe manner, or makes dangerous maneuvers while driving, or takes part in impromptu races;

(c) drives a vehicle (i) on a motorway or freeway at a speed exceeding the speed limit by at least sixty (60) kilometers per hour, and in the case of a bus or truck, by at least thirty (30) kilometers per hour; (ii) within a residential area or on another road network at a speed exceeding the speed limit by at least forty (40) kilometers per hour, and in the case of a bus or truck, by at least twenty (20) kilometers per hour hour;

(d) drives a vehicle in an emergency lane (AR), except in cases of its exclusive purpose, is punished, unless more severe penalties are provided for in other provisions:

(aa) by imprisonment for up to three (3) years, if the act is likely to result in a general danger to another’s property,

(bb) imprisonment for at least one (1) year if the act is likely to endanger people,

(c) to imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years if the act resulted in serious bodily injury or caused substantial damage to public services,

(yy) to imprisonment for at least ten (10) years if the act resulted in the death of another person.

If death has been caused to a large number of people, the court may impose a life sentence.

Whoever, in the cases referred to in the preceding paragraph, recklessly drives a vehicle dangerously, and as a result of his actions a general danger to foreign objects or a danger to a person may arise, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) years or a fine.

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