The Greek Police, ahead of the October 28 celebrationimplements from today 27 and until 29 October 2023 increased traffic and traffic policing measures, throughout the country’s road network, for the safe movement of citizens and the prevention of traffic accidents.

The planning was carried out by the Traffic Policing Directorate of the Hellenic Police Headquarters and includes the basic directions for the development of measures throughout the country’s road network, as well as the individual interventions, based on local problems and the particular traffic conditions that prevail , by wider area or region.

At the same time, the planning foresees the allocation of the necessary resources for the implementation of the measures, as well as the required coordination and supervision of the Services involved, in order to achieve the best possible results.

Throughout the implementation of the measures, both the personnel and the means of the Hellenic Police, mainly of 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.

Road safety measures are aimed at preventive and deterrent presence, but also at conducting traffic checks and drunkenness tests (breathalyzer tests) to deal with “dangerous” violations, which are the main causes, mainly of fatal traffic accidents.

Central points of the design include:

  • 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 policing measures at the entrances and exits of large urban centers, where heavy vehicle traffic is observed,
  • ensuring timely cooperation and coordination with all co-competent Bodies – Services, where this is required,
  • regulation of traffic with pedestrian traffic wardens, at key intersections, to avoid traffic congestion,
  • formation of general and special traffic control teams (especially for the verification of dangerous violations as well as violations that, based on statistical data, are responsible for causing serious traffic accidents such as excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal overtaking, etc., use of mobile phones while driving, not using a protective helmet-belt, worn tires),
  • 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,
  • controls for arbitrary occupation of public spaces and parts of streets and sidewalks to secure parking spaces and
  • informing the citizens through the competent Communication Services of the House, in any case where it becomes necessary to inform the public widely about the existence of any traffic and other problems.

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.

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.
  • 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.

Traffic ban on trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons

In addition to the facilitation and traffic measures, which will be taken at the local level, there will also be a ban on the movement of all lorries with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons, on the sections of highways and national roads, as follows:

On Friday 27 October 2023, from 16:00 to 22:00 and on Saturday 28 October 2023, from 08:00 to 13:00, for the output current:

(a) 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.

(b) 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 interchange (X.Th. 410+359) in the direction of Thessaloniki.

(c) 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.

(d) On the A11 highway (Schimatari – Chalkida), from its intersection with the A1 highway (Ex. 65+820) to the high bridge of Chalkida (Ex. 12+300) in the direction of Chalkida.

(e) On the Thessaloniki – Kavala National Highway, from the 11th km (X.Th.11+340) to the intersection of Leo Amfipolis (X.Th.97 + 550) in the direction of Kavala.

(f) On the A5 motorway (Ionia Odos) from the Bridge of Rio – Antirrio “Charilaos Trikoupis” (Rio area P.O. 11+558,47) to the end of Ionia Odos (P.O. 200+991) in the direction to Ioannina.

(g) On the A7 highway (Central Peloponnese), from A/K Corinth (P.O. 85+300) to the Sparti Roundabout (P.O. 240+800) (Kalamata Ring Road) in the direction of Kalamata.

(h) On the A71 highway (Lefktro-Sparti) from Lefktro Motorway (0+000) to Spartis Motorway (P.O. 45+000) in the direction of Sparta.

(i) On the Ioannina – Arta – Antirrio National Highway in the direction of Antirrio.

(j) 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 Sunday 29 October 2023, from 16:00 to 23:00, for the input current:

(a) On the A8 highway (Athens-Patra), in the direction of Athens, from the Rio Toll (Ex. 199+660) to the Elefsina Toll (Ex. 26+500) in the direction of Athens.

(b) On the A1 highway (Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni), in the direction of Athens, from the Leptokaryas junction (P.T. 410+359) to the Makrychorio Toll (P.T. 374+291), from the Rachon junction Fthiotidas (X.TH. 242+479) to the junction of Roditsa (Lamia) (X.TH. 212+625), and from the intersection of Bralos (X.TH. 203+065) to the junction Ag. Stefanou (Kryoneri) (X.Th. 27+960) in the direction of Athens.

(c) On the N. Moudanion – Thessaloniki National Highway from the N. Moudanion interchange (61.5 km) to the Thermi flyover in the direction of Thessaloniki.

(d) On the A11 highway (Schimatari – Chalkida), from the high bridge of Chalkida (P.O. 12+300) to its intersection with the A1 highway (P.O. 65+820) in the direction of Athens.

(e) On the Kavala-Thessaloniki National Highway from the Leo Amfipoli intersection (X.Th. 97+550) to the 11th km (X.Th. 11+340) of this in the direction of Thessaloniki.

(f) On the A5 highway (Ionia Odos), from the end of Ionia Odos (P.O. 200+991) to the Bridge of Rio – Antirio “Charilaos Trikoupis” (Rio area P.O. 1+558,47) in direction to Rio.

(g) On the A7 highway (Central Peloponnese), from the Spartis Roundabout (P.T. 240+800) (Kalamata Ring Road) to the A/K Corinth (P.T. 85+300) in the direction of Athens.

(h) On the A71 highway (Lefktro-Sparti), from A/K Spartis (P.O. 45+000) to A/K Lefktro (0+000) in the direction of Lefktro.

(i) On the Ioannina – Arta – Antirrio National Highway in the direction of Ioannina.

(j) On the National Highway of Thessaloniki – Polygyrou (E.O.16), from the boundaries of the P.E. Thessaloniki (Agia Anastasia junction) to Thermi bridge in the direction to Thessaloniki.

Excluded from the curfew:

(a) 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 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 load of the above products transported is at least 10% of the payload.

(b) Water tankers (water tankers) when they are moving to fight forest fires.

(c) Trucks (refrigerators) for public (V.D.X.) and private use (F.I.X.) that transport fresh fruit and vegetable products.

(d) Trucks transporting by-products of animal origin for inactivation, in accordance with regulation EC 1069/2009, as long as they have a relevant license from the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine of the relevant Region and are accompanied by the prescribed commercial document.

(e) The trucks of the Public Utility Organizations (DEDDIE, ADMIE, OTE, Natural Gas, etc.) when they move to restore emergency damage to their networks and only if they are accompanied by a written order from the relevant organization.

(f) Tanker vehicles that transport fuel for refueling fire fighting equipment, as long as this is proven by appropriate documents or documents.

(g) Trucks transporting music and theater equipment and trucks used to perform and transport equipment for the coverage of television and film events.

(h) Trucks carrying oxygen for medical purposes.

(i) 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.

(j) Emergency vehicles.

(k) 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.

(l) The trucks of the Organization “The Smile of the Child”