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A fatal road accident involving an elderly driver has reignited debate over senior citizens’ driving competence in Greece, with officials under growing pressure to reconsider safety protocols for seniors.
In February, an 88-year-old driver lost control in a busy Athens suburb, killing one and injuring five. Days later, an 82-year-old caused a crash near Volos, claiming two lives.
Experts caution against age-based discrimination, arguing that factors like impaired vision and reaction time should be assessed individually. “Any horizontal measure would be unacceptable, each driver must be assessed individually,” says driving instructor Aris Zografos.
Greece requires drivers over 65 to renew their licenses every three years with medical exams; for those over 80, the renewal period shortens to two years. However, critics argue that lax enforcement weakens these measures.