THE Greek policein view of the expected particularly increased traffic on the entire road network of the country as well as in the large urban centers, due to the celebration of Pentecost and Holy Spirit 2024, receives, from Friday 21 June 2024 until Monday 24 June 2024, increased traffic policing measures throughout the country’s road networkwith the aim of the safe movement of citizens and the prevention and prevention of traffic accidents.

In particular, the design of the measures includes:

  • increased traffic measures at the entrances and exits of large urban centers, where a lot of vehicle traffic is observed,
  • increased traffic measures in places where mass passenger traffic is observed (airports, ports, stations, etc.), as well as in parts of the road network, where a frequency of traffic accidents is observed,
  • development of measures and special actions within the cities, as well as in places where, due to festive events, there is an increased traffic of road users,
  • setting up of general and special traffic control teams (especially to verify dangerous violations, such as excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol, using a mobile phone while driving, not using a protective helmet – seat belt, illegal overtaking and crossing the double dividing line, etc. )
  • cooperation and coordination with all co-competent Agencies – Services around the clock, for the immediate response and resolution of any problems that arise 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.

It is pointed out that, 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.

In addition, during the period of the celebration of Pentecost and Holy Spirit 2024, traffic bans will apply to all trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons.

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.

Recommendations of EL.AS

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.
  • Do not 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 for trucks over 3.5 tonnes during the Pentecost and Holy Spirit celebrations

For the safer movement of vehicles and the improvement of road traffic during the period of the celebration of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, in addition to the measures to facilitate traffic that will be taken at the local level, a ban on the movement of trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3 will also apply, 5 tons as below:

On Friday 21 June 2024, from 16:00 to 22:00 and on Saturday 22 June 2024, from 08:00 to 13:00:

  • 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 Toll (X.Th. 374+291) to the Leptokarya interchange (X.Th. 410+359) in the direction of Thessaloniki.
  • On the National Highway of Thessaloniki-N. Moudanion, from the Thermi bridge to the junction N. Moudanion (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 the Ionian Road (PO Box 200+991) in the direction of Ioannina.
  • On the A7 highway (Central Peloponnese), from the Korinthos A/C (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 24 June 2024, from 16:00 to 23:00:

  • 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 junction of Roditsa (Lamia) (X.Th. 212+625), and from the junction of Bralos (X.Th. 203+065) to the junction 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 towards 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.

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 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.
  • Crane-carrying vehicles as long as they provide roadside assistance work in accordance with articles 1 and 6 of Law 3651/2008 (Government Gazette A 44/18.03.2008) and do not transport other materials or equipment beyond what is necessary to provide services for the roadside assistance work and have documents or relevant electronic information about the urgency of their mission to provide roadside assistance.
  • 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 repair 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”.
  • Trucks for the transport of racing cars and trucks converted into motor-cars for the repair-maintenance (service) of providing assistance to racing cars.