Snapshot one: Within the middle of Halandri, northern Athens, an space infamous for its parking issues, a driver leaves his automobile virtually in the midst of the road and rushes off to do a spot of procuring. In the meantime, automobiles are blocked because the bus can’t cross, and when the driving force lastly returns, the gathered crowd greets him with some selection phrases.
Snapshot two: Vacationers heading to benefit from the mountains in Arachova, on the foot of Mount Parnassos, have forgotten to convey snow chains. Amongst them is an expert roadside help driver. They get caught within the snow and block the street, inflicting a miles-long visitors jam. Together with the offenders, drivers who adhere to the visitors code undergo for hours.
Snapshot three: Early morning at a bar in Athens. The complete group has been consuming, together with the driving force, who is aware of he’s by no means going to cross a breathalyzer take a look at. But, as an alternative of calling a taxi, he will get into his automobile and, earlier than beginning, checks a well-liked app on his cellphone that informs its thousand of customers the place the visitors police arrange their checkpoints.
These snapshots should not exceptions. They’re practically the norm. On a regular basis tales of irresponsible, unlawful and aggressive driving habits that price lives. In response to the Athens Site visitors Police, 135,000 visitors violations had been recorded within the yr till December 22: drunk driving, dashing, operating crimson lights, utilizing cell phones, not sporting seat belts or helmets, unlawful parking and many others. It’s an increase of 145% from 2023.
The brand new yr will convey a brand new Site visitors Code with stricter penalties for violations. It would additionally introduce cameras on main roads, which is able to act as deterrents whereas releasing up the visitors police to be deployed elsewhere. Nonetheless, it received’t convey dramatic adjustments to the on a regular basis actuality on Greek roads.
Solely when the driving tradition adjustments will visitors accidents lower, and fewer lives be misplaced on our roads. Solely once we drive with out utilizing our cell phones, with out having had alcohol, with out letting our nerves and aggression take over the wheel. I don’t count on it from this era of drivers, however maybe from the subsequent one.
