October 5, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

New traffic rules: speed in the city reduced to 30 km/h, serious fines and mandatory use of helmets on electric scooters


The new Traffic Code, which will soon enter the stage of discussion and then implementation, aims to reduce road accidents.

It also aims to reduce traffic congestion and reduce the burden on the environment by encouraging the use of both motorcycles and micromobility vehicles, including conventional and electric bicycles, as well as electric scooters.

The speed limit within the city will be reduced from 50 to 30 km/h in general and to 20 km/h near educational institutions and schools.. However, the question remains will the introduction of a 30 km/h limit lead to traffic jams?. But this can only be learned in practice. And if this happens, the authorities will take other steps.

According to the new COC, violations will be classified according to their degree of danger. Punishments for such violations will be especially severe, and in In case of repeated violations, fines will be increased significantly. If within five years it happens third offenseyour driving license will be revoked for a period of five years, and To restore it, the violator will be required to undergo training and an exam.

The license will also be taken away if you reach 25 points in the point system. At the same time, for the first time, the number and license plates of a vehicle will not be removed for violating traffic rules, since a fine will be applied to the driver. In cases where the offender cannot be clearly identified, such as in the presence of CCTV footage, the penalty will be imposed on the owner of the vehicle. There are three categories of violations:

  • E1 – low risk: fine of 30 euros and license revocation for 10 days.
  • E2 – medium risk: fine 150 euros and license revocation for 20 days.
  • E3 – High Risk and Antisocial Driving: Criminal penalties for serious offenses such as speeding, traffic light violations and drink driving.

If there is danger:

  • for someone else's property, imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years is provided,
  • with a risk to people – at least 1 year,
  • for grievous bodily harm or significant damage to public facilities – up to 10 years,
  • for the death of a person – at least 10 years. If the cause was the death of a large number of people, the court may order life imprisonment.

Antisocial offenses that will carry very severe penalties include:

  • driving within an LEA (leased line bus),
  • parking in places designated for the disabled (or on ramps for the disabled).

For such violations, the Criminal Code provides for grave penalties.: imprisonment for up to 3 years if there is a danger to other people's things, at least 1 year for people, up to 10 years for grievous bodily harm or significant damage to public facilities, at least 10 years for the death of a person. If the cause is the death of many people, the court may impose life imprisonment.

According to the new COC, movement in the aisle motorcycles on the roads becomes legal for the first time. The term “movement in the aisle» refers to movement of two-wheelers between cars and will be considered legal only when cars are stationary, for example in a traffic jam or at a traffic light, and when the speed limit is not violated. Also, two-wheelers will receive priority at traffic lights, allowing them to pass in front of cars for both safety and ease movements.

Failure to wear a helmet will now be punished more severely, and in case of repeated offense there is a possibility of license revocation for up to 5 years.

Motorcycles will only be parked perpendicularly on the road, saving space for cars. Penalties for not wearing a helmet are becoming stricter: in case of repeated violation, there is a risk of deprivation of your driving license for up to 5 years.

The use of helmets will also be extended to micromobile vehicles, which, when the speed limit is reduced to 30 km/h, will be able to move normally on the road, naturally, observing all the rules. The same will apply to electric scooterswhich are currently moving in a regime of lawlessness.

The new COC also provides fines for pedestriansdelaying or impeding traffic on sidewalks, as well as for car passengers who carelessly open the doors.



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