With the new Road Traffic Code recently voted in Parliament, the Greek state is turning a page on the issue of road safety, attempting for the first time to deal with actual violations that have remained practically unpunished to date.

One of the most important incisions introduced by the new KOK is about driving without a diploma – a abusive behavior that has so far been treated most as a formal infringement than as a real threat to citizens’ safety.

The problem with the previous regime

Although driving without a diploma is a criminal offense, in practice the procedures were not applied. The self was not kept, the cases were referred to the audience with a delay of months, and almost always the defendants were acquitted, in the meantime issued or regained their permission.

The result was a system that discouraged policing and maintained the impression that “nothing is happening” – even when human life is at risk.

The new CKE approach

At the initiative of Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis, the new KOK is putting an end to this situation. For the first time, a clear, immediate and applicable procedure is foreseen:

● The prosecutor directly draws up an indictment.

Τική a fine of 2,000 to 40,000 euros is imposed.

● Imprisonment of up to 1 year is foreseen.

● The vehicle is decommissioned.

● If there is a traffic accident with injury or death, the sentence reaches up to 20 years in prison under Article 290A of the Criminal Code.

From impunity to responsibility

“The new philosophy of the Code is based on the application of the law without discounts. It is not mere tension, but a transition to a model of real accountability, where every driving behavior has consequences.

Greece acquires, for the first time, a coke that does not stay on paper. And the state sends a clear message: Road safety is non -negotiable, ”said officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.