[Translated from Tharros] As of today, the new Road Traffic Code comes into force, bringing significant changes aimed at reducing road accidents in Greece, which remains in first place in the EU in terms of road deaths. The article sets out how the regulations will be operated and details offences and new penalties that drivers in Greece may be subject to.

In the new Road Traffic Code, interventions are introduced that focus on the prevention of deaths and serious injuries and the cultivation of traffic education. Specifically, digital cameras will be activated in Attica and fines will be sent directly to offenders through gov.gr platform.

One of the most important changes is the concept of recidivism: from now on, repeated offences are not offset, but result in cumulative penalties, increasing both fines and administrative sanctions, such as the withdrawal of a diploma or even criminal prosecutions.

Particular emphasis is placed on mobile phone use while driving, where penalties become much more severe. For example, the first violation is punishable by a fine of 350 euros and the withdrawal of a license for 30 days, while repetitions result in fines of up to 2,000 euros and a longer withdrawal of a license, with criminal consequences in case of an accident.

At the same time, driving under the influence of alcohol is now punished more severely, with fines of up to 4,000 euros, license revocation for up to 10 years and criminal charges that can even reach 10 years in prison, especially if a fatal accident occurs.

In addition, the new Road Traffic Code provides for strict penalties for not wearing a seat belt and helmet, where the fine concerns both the driver and the passenger, while the second recurrence can lead to the withdrawal of a license for one year.

Speed limits are adjusted, reduced within cities and increased outside the urban fabric, while for extremely high speeds, fines of up to 8,000 euros and withdrawal of a license for 4 years are provided.

Particularly severe penalties are also imposed for illegal parking on ramps for the disabled, with fines of up to 2,000 euros and withdrawal of a license for one year in case of recurrence.

The new Road Traffic Code also strengthens the smooth operation of public transport, tightening fines for illegal levels and prohibiting the movement of taxis in bus lanes, except in specific cases.

Finally, technology and digitalization are key tools in the effort to prevent and improve road safety, while the bet remains social acceptance and the change of driving culture. As the authorities point out, the new Road Traffic Code does not punish, but prevents, giving priority to life and respect on the street.

The sanctions in detail

The new Road Traffic Code redefines the penalties for its violations.

What applies:

Violation of mobile phone use while driving

Initial violation: Fine of 350 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one month.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 6 months.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.

Speed Limit Violation

Initial violation: Fine of 700 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 60 days.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 180 days.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.
Fights (at a speed of more than 200 km/h):
Initial violation: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 4,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for two years.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 8,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for four years.
Causing an accident or accident (Article 290A of the Penal Code):
Causing grievous bodily harm/damage to public facilities: Imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Causing a fatal accident: Imprisonment of 10-20 years.
Causing many deaths: Life imprisonment.

Red Traffic Light Violation

Initial violation: Fine of 700 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 60 days.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 180 days.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.

STOP Violation

No accident:

Initial violation: Fine of 350 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 30 days.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 180 days.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.

By causing an accident:

Initial violation: Fine of 700 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 60 days.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for four years.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 4,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for eight years.
Criminal penalties: Imprisonment up to 10 years, 10-30 years, or life imprisonment (depending on the outcome).
Driving without a driver’s license

Initial violation: A fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of a driver’s license for one year, imprisonment for up to two years.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for four years.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 4,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for eight years.
With dangerous driving: Prison sentences under the Criminal Code.

Causing a car accident:

Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for four years.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 4,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for eight years.

Criminal penalties (Article 290A of the Penal Code):
Causing grievous bodily harm/damage to public facilities: Imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Causing a fatal accident: Imprisonment of 10-20 years.
Causing many deaths: Life imprisonment.

Violation for not wearing a helmet

Initial violation: Fine of 350 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one month.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for six months.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.
Passenger without helmet: A fine of 350 euros, both for the driver and the passenger.

Violation for not using a seat belt

Initial violation: Fine of 350 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one month.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for six months.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.
Passenger without a seat belt: A fine of 150 euros, for both the driver and the passenger.

Alcohol Driving Offense

Indication between 0.5-1.1 g/l: Fine of 350 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one month.
Indication between 0.8-1.1 g/l: Fine of 700 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for three months.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for six months.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.
Indication greater than 1.1 g/l: Fine of 1,200 euros, removal of driver’s license and license plates for 180 days, imprisonment 2 months-5 years.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for seven years.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 4,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 10 years.
Causing an accident or accident (Article 290A OF THE PENAL CODE): Grievous
bodily harm/damage: Imprisonment of up to 10 years.
Fatal accident: 10-20 years in prison.
Causing a fatal accident: Life imprisonment.

Obstruction of public transport

Illegal stop/parking: Fine of 350 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 70 days.

Taxi entrance to a bus lane

Certificate of violation: Fine of 150 euros (without withdrawal of license).
Exceptions: Boarding/disembarking of customers, traffic at night, zero-emission taxis, disabled vehicles.

Parking in a disabled space

Initial violation: Fine of 150 euros, removal of driver’s license and license plates for 60 days, removal of vehicle.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 1,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 180 days.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for one year.

Obstruction of Railway Movement

Initial violation: Fine of 1,200 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for 60 days, imprisonment of up to 5 years.
Certificate of first recurrence: Fine of 2,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for four years.
Certificate of second recurrence: Fine of 4,000 euros, withdrawal of driver’s license for eight years.
By causing an accident (Article 291 of the Penal Code): Imprisonment of up to 20 years or life.

Source: protothema.gr