Increased road safety and traffic policing measures, for the safe movement of citizens and the prevention of traffic accidents, throughout the country’s road network are included in the special planning of the Hellenic Police for the festive period of August 15.

The planning of the measures was carried out in the context of more specific orders of the Hellenic Police Headquarters for full and continuous activation, coordination and supervision of all Traffic Services, in order to ensure smooth and safe road traffic conditions throughout the country’s road network.

In particular, the measures include:

  1. policing of the road network by sector, based on the particular traffic conditions of each region,
  2. increased police presence and targeted policing at the points of the road network, where there is a frequency of road accidents,
  3. intensive traffic policing measures at the entrances and exits of large urban centers, where an increased flow of traffic is observed,
  4. special actions and increased traffic measures within cities,
  5. increased traffic measures in places where there is a mass gathering of passengers (airports, ports, stations, etc.),
  6. setting up of general and special traffic control teams, focusing attention on confirming dangerous violations, as well as violations that, based on statistics, are responsible for causing serious traffic accidents (excessive speed, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal overtaking, use of mobile phones while driving, not using a protective helmet etc.),
  7. timely ensuring cooperation and coordination with all co-competent bodies – Services, where this is required,
  8. 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.

In addition, throughout the implementation of the measures, both the personnel and the means of the Hellenic Police, mainly the Traffic 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.

During the festive period, traffic bans for trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons will apply, as stated in the relevant joint Ministerial Decision.

In particular:

For the safer movement of vehicles and the improvement of road traffic during the celebration of the 15th of August 2024, in addition to the facilitation and traffic measures, which will be taken at the local level, a traffic ban will apply to all car trucks with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tons , on the sections of highways and national roads, during the following days and hours:

On Wednesday 14 August 2024, from 16:00 to 22:00, as well as on Saturday 17 August 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-Antirio Bridge “Charilaos Trikoupis” (Rio area X.Th. 11+558,47) to the end of Ionia Odos (X.Th. 200+991) in the direction to 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 Sunday 18 August 2024, from 16:00 to 23:00:

  • On the A8 highway (Athens-Patra), 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 (Ext. 410+359) to the Makryhori Tolls (Ext. 374+291), from the Rahon Fthiotida interchange (Ext. .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 interchange (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 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.
  • 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 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”.
  • Trucks for the transport of racing cars and trucks converted into motor-cars for the repair-maintenance (service) of providing assistance to racing cars.