THE Greek policein view of the celebration of Easter, receives, from April 7 to 23, 2023, increased traffic measures throughout the country’s road network, with the aim of the safe movement of citizens and the prevention and prevention of traffic accidents.

The planning was carried out based on the Strategic Planning of the Hellenic Police Headquarters, for full and continuous operation of all Traffic Services and includes:

  • policing of the road network by sector, based on the particular traffic conditions of each region,
  • increased police presence and enhanced policing of the points of the road network, where there is a frequency of road accidents,
  • increased traffic measures at the entrances and exits of large urban centers, where a lot of vehicle traffic is observed,
  • regulation of traffic with pedestrian traffic wardens, at key intersections, to avoid traffic congestion,
  • increased traffic measures in places where mass passenger traffic is observed (airports, ports, stations, etc.),
  • traffic regulations in places where festive events will take place,
  • presence of traffic wardens at the Toll Stations of the Country to facilitate traffic, inform and advise drivers and passengers and
  • informing the citizens through the Press Offices, in any case where it becomes necessary to inform the public widely about the existence of any traffic and other problems.

At the same time, the plan provides for the formation of special traffic control teams, at alternating points of the road network, focusing, among other things, on the attestation of dangerous violations, as well as violations that, based on statistical data, are responsible for causing serious traffic accidents, such as:

  • driving under the influence of alcohol,
  • speeding,
  • using a mobile phone while driving,
  • not using a protective helmet – safety belt,
  • irregular overtaking and double dividing line crossings, etc.,
  • not using special means of restraint and protection, such as seats, safety belts, etc., when transporting children in vehicles,
  • driving vehicles by minors and people who do not have a driver’s license,
  • driving for demonstration purposes,
  • circulation of vehicles, which have not undergone a regular or extraordinary technical inspection within the specified period,
  • worn tires and
  • abnormal traffic of vehicles in the Emergency Lane (E.L.A.).

Throughout the implementation of the measures, both the personnel and the means of the Hellenic Police, mainly the Traffic Police Services, will be on increased operational readiness. Specifically, patrol cars, motorcycles and conventional vehicles will be made available, with the corresponding personnel and equipment for the effective policing of the country’s road network.

It is noted that, during the festive period, the bans on the movement of trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons will apply.

The Hellenic Police, on the occasion of the upcoming holiday season, reminds once again to all drivers and road users that road safety is everyone’s business.

Traffic ban on trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tonnes during the Easter celebration period

In the context of reducing traffic problems, improving road traffic and increasing the degree of road safety, during the Easter celebration period, in addition to the traffic facilitation measures that will be taken at the local level, a ban on the movement of all car trucks will also apply of a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tonnes as follows:

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for the output current:

  • On the A8 highway (Athens-Patra) from the Elefsina Toll (Ex. 26+500) to the Rio Toll (Ex. 199+660) in the direction of Patras.
  • On the A1 highway (Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni), from the junction Ag. Stefanou (Kryoneri) (X.T. 27+960) to the intersection of Bralos (X.T. 203+065), from the Roditsa (Lamia) junction (X.T. 212+625) to the Rahon Fthiotida junction ( X.Th. 242+479), from the Makrychorio Tolls (X.Th. 374+291) to the Leptokaryas junction (X.Th. 410+359) in the direction of Thessaloniki.
  • On the National Highway of Thessaloniki-N. Moudanion, from the Thermi bridge to the N. Moudanion junction (61.5 km) in the direction of Halkidiki.
  • On the A11 highway (Schimatari – Chalkida), from its intersection with the A1 highway (Ex. 65+820) to the Chalkida high bridge (Ex. 12+300) in the direction of Chalkida.
  • On the National Highway Thessaloniki – Kavala, from the 11th km (X.Th. 11+340) to the Leo Amfipoli intersection (X.Th. 97 + 550) in the direction of Kavala.
  • On the A5 highway (Ionia Odos) from the Rio – Antirrio “Charilaos Trikoupis” Bridge (Rio area PO Box 11+558,47) to the end of Ionia Odos (PO Box 200+991) in the direction of Ioannina.
  • On the A7 highway (Central Peloponnese), from the Corinth Expressway (P.O. 85+300) to the Sparta Roundabout (P.O. 240+800) (Kalamata Ring Road) in the direction of Kalamata.
  • On the A71 highway (Lefktro-Sparti) from the Lefktro Motorway (0+000) to the Spartis Motorway (P.O. 45+000) in the direction of Sparta.
  • On the Ioannina – Arta – Antirrio National Highway in the direction of Antirrio.
  • On the Thessaloniki-Polygyrou National Highway (E.O.16), from the Thermi bridge to the limits of the P.E. Thessaloniki (Agia Anastasia junction) in the direction of Polygyros.

On Monday 17 April 2023, from 12:00 to 22:00, for the input current:

  • On the A8 highway (Athens-Patras), in the direction of Athens, from the Rio Toll (Ex. 199+660) to the Elefsina Toll (Ex. 26+500) in the direction of Athens.
  • On the A1 motorway (Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni), in the direction of Athens, from the Leptokaryas interchange (Ex. 410+359) to the Makryhori Tolls (Ex. 374+291), from the Rahon Fthiotida interchange (Ex. .Th. 242+479) to the Roditsa (Lamia) interchange (X.Th. 212+625), and from the Bralos intersection (X.Th. 203+065) to the Ag. Stefanou (Kryoneri) (X.Th. 27+960) in the direction of Athens.
  • On the N. Moudanion – Thessaloniki National Highway from the N. Moudanion junction (61.5 km) to the Thermi flyover in the direction of Thessaloniki.
  • On the A11 highway (Schimatari – Chalkida), from the high bridge of Chalkida (Ex. 12+300) to its intersection with the A1 highway (Ex. 65+820) in the direction of Athens.
  • On the National Highway Kavala – Thessaloniki from the intersection of Leo Amfipoli (P.T. 97+550) to the 11th km (P.T. 11+340) in the direction of Thessaloniki.
  • On the A5 highway (Ionia Odos), from the end of Ionia Odos (P.O. 200+991) to the Rio – Antirio Bridge “Charilaos Trikoupis” (Rio area P.O. 1+558,47) in the direction of Rio .
  • On the A7 highway (Central Peloponnese), from the Spartis Roundabout (Ext. 240+800) (Kalamata Ring Road) to the Corinth Expressway (Ext. 85+300) in the direction of Athens.
  • On the A71 highway (Lefktro-Sparti), from A/K Spartis (X.TH. 45+000) to A/K Lefktro (0+000) in the direction of Lefktro.
  • On the Ioannina – Arta – Antirrio National Highway in the direction of Ioannina.
  • On the Thessaloniki-Polygyrou National Highway (E.O.16), from the boundaries of P.E. Thessaloniki (Agia Anastasia junction) to Thermi bridge in the direction to Thessaloniki.

On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., for the input current:

  • On the A8 highway (Athens-Patras), in the direction of Athens, from the Rio Toll (Ex. 199+660) to the Elefsina Toll (Ex. 26+500) in the direction of Athens.
  • On the A1 motorway (Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni), in the direction of Athens, from the Leptokaryas interchange (Ex. 410+359) to the Makryhori Tolls (Ex. 374+291), from the Rahon Fthiotida interchange (Ex. .Th. 242+479) to the Roditsa (Lamia) interchange (X.Th. 212+625), and from the Bralos intersection (X.Th. 203+065) to the Ag. Stefanou (Kryoneri) (X.Th. 27+960) in the direction of Athens.

Excluded from the curfew:

  • The vehicles that offer roadside assistance, in accordance with Law 3651/2008, the trucks of ELTA, the trucks of press distribution companies, the trucks of public (F.D.X.) and private use (F.I.X. .) that transport live animals, perishable food, as they are referred to in the international ATP agreement, (Article 3 of Chapter II of joint ministerial decision no. 50786/3319/2014 (B’ 2418), if the percentage of the load of the above of products carried is at least 10% of the payload.
  • Tanker water transport vehicles (water tankers) when they move to deal with forest fires.
  • Trucks (refrigerators) for public (VAT) and private use (VAT) that transport fresh fruit and vegetable products.
  • Trucks transporting by-products of animal origin for inactivation, in accordance with regulation EC 1069/2009, as long as they have a relevant permit from the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine of the relevant Region and are accompanied by the prescribed commercial document.
  • The trucks of the Public Utility Organizations (DEDDIE, ADMIE, OTE, Natural Gas, etc.) when moving to restore emergency damage to their networks and only if they are accompanied by a written order from the relevant organization.
  • Tanker vehicles carrying fuel for the refueling of fire fighting equipment, as long as this is proven by appropriate documents or documents.
  • Trucks transporting music and theater equipment and trucks used to perform and transport equipment for the coverage of television and film events.
  • Trucks carrying oxygen for medical purposes.
  • DESE’s work machines and trucks used to deal with emergencies, upon request of the competent Civil Protection service and with a relevant decision of the locally competent Traffic Directorate.
  • Emergency vehicles.
  • The trucks and work machines of the concession companies that manage the highways and their subcontractors in order to smoothly carry out the work assigned to them.
  • The trucks of the Organization “The Smile of the Child”.

It should be noted that the Greek Police, on the occasion of the upcoming holiday season, has planned to take increased road safety measures on the road network of the entire country.

In addition, it again reminds all drivers and road users that road safety is everyone’s business.

In this context, it recommends to citizens:

  • Before traveling, they should do a technical check on their vehicle and be informed about the condition of the road network and the weather conditions.
  • Be especially careful while driving and observe the rules of the Road Traffic Code.
  • To respect the road markings and comply with the instructions of the traffic controllers.
  • Do not use mobile phones or other distracting devices while driving.
  • Not to consume alcoholic beverages if they are going to drive.
  • To protect children riding in the vehicle, using child seats.
  • They must necessarily “wear” seat belts, just like helmets on motorcycles.
  • To use anti-slip chains, where there are special traffic conditions (frost, etc.).
  • Not to overestimate their driving skills and the technical capabilities of their vehicles.
  • To respect and protect fellow passengers and fellow human beings who use the road network, driving their vehicle with responsibility and caution.