Snapshot one: In the center of Halandri, northern Athens, an area notorious for its parking problems, a driver leaves his car almost in the middle of the street and rushes off to do a spot of shopping. Meanwhile, cars are blocked as the bus can’t pass, and when the driver finally returns, the gathered crowd greets him with some choice words.
Snapshot two: Tourists heading to enjoy the mountains in Arachova, at the foot of Mount Parnassos, have forgotten to bring snow chains. Among them is a professional roadside assistance driver. They get stuck in the snow and block the road, causing a miles-long traffic jam. Along with the offenders, drivers who adhere to the traffic code suffer for hours.
Snapshot three: Early morning at a bar in Athens. The entire group has been drinking, including the driver, who knows he’s never going to pass a breathalyzer test. Yet, instead of calling a taxi, he gets into his car and, before starting, checks a popular app on his phone that informs its thousand of users where the traffic police set up their checkpoints.
These snapshots are not exceptions. They are nearly the norm. Everyday stories of irresponsible, illegal and aggressive driving behavior that cost lives. According to the Athens Traffic Police, 135,000 traffic violations were recorded in the year until December 22: drunk driving, speeding, running red lights, using mobile phones, not wearing seat belts or helmets, illegal parking etc. It’s a rise of 145% from 2023.
The new year will bring a new Traffic Code with stricter penalties for violations. It will also introduce cameras on major roads, which will act as deterrents while freeing up the traffic police to be deployed elsewhere. However, it won’t bring dramatic changes to the everyday reality on Greek roads.
Only when the driving culture changes will traffic accidents decrease, and fewer lives be lost on our roads. Only when we drive without using our mobile phones, without having had alcohol, without letting our nerves and aggression take over the wheel. I don’t expect it from this generation of drivers, but perhaps from the next one.