Unleash the hammer, Greece: New Road Traffic Laws lay the smackdown
Increased Penalties for Road Offenders in Greece Starting Soon
Greece is getting tough on the road. The parliament swoops in with a revamped Traffic Code that shapes up to be a game changer in road safety, giving a stern rustication to those who jeopardize it. Here's how the Greek Cypriot roads get reshaped.
Buh-bye, phone calls!
In the days when you could gab away on your phone working that GPS, those cheeks-in-palms moments have finally come to an end. dialing distracted while driving will cost you 350 euros and a 30-day driving vacation. For a second offense, you're hit with a 1,000 euro fine and a six-month driving suspension. Go three strikes, and it's 2,000 euros and a one-year driving ban.
Helmet-less riders beware!
The reign of the headstrong motorcyclist fleeing helmet laws is finally over. With steep fines similar to the phone-talkin' motorists, those bucking helmet laws will pay 350 euros for their wrongdoing on the first offense. Repeat the indiscretion, and the price doubles to 1,000 euros. A third offense means 2,000 euros and a parking ticket that lasts a whole year.
Speed - Creep or Soar?
Speed limits get a shakeup! Forget speeding through residential areas. The pace picks up to 30 km/h, while the main urban routes remain at a steady 50 km/h. However, the open highways see speeds jump from the current 130 km/h to a daring 140 km/h. Don't go too fast, or you'll experience the not-so-sweet taste of the fines that can reach 8,000 euros alongside a four-year driving ban for those exceeding 200 km/h.
Get ready to race, shine and die
As a solemn warning, face harsh penalties for those who engage in street racing, and exhibit aggressive driving, such as road rage incidents. The first offense will cost 2,000 euros and deprive you of driving privileges for a year. A second offense doubles the cost to 4,000 euros and a two-year ban, while three times and you'll cough up 8,000 euros and bid adieu to safe driving for four years.
'Nuff about blurry vision, huh?
Smoking in a car with children below 12 is a sin, and excess drinking while driving is a serious taboo, with costly outcomes that range from 1,000 euros to a driving ban of up to 10 years, depending on the severity of the offense.
Insurance be your armor, tourists
Heading to Greece in a vehicle? Don't scrimp on insurance! With close to 500k uninsured vehicles on Greek roads, it's recommended to get full coverage to protect yourself. As the government grapples with this issue, play it safe with defensive driving to steer clear of pricey accidents, even if you're not at fault.
Camper van cruisers: Stay a Limit!
This year, stricter measures targeted camper vans. An unauthorized parking stint anywhere for over 24 hours is now illegal. Be a law-abiding van-lifer and stick to designated campgrounds or parking areas. Be warned, violators may face heavy fines up to 300 euros per person, rising up to 3,000 euros if you're evading the fine or skipping town.
- The new traffic laws in Greece have introduced stricter penalties for those who engage in activities such as street racing, road rage incidents, or aggressive driving, which can lead to fines ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 euros and driving bans lasting up to four years.
- In addition, the laws are also cracking down on distracted driving, such as making phone calls while driving, and not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle, with fines of up to 2,000 euros for repeat offenders.
