Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Know Before You Go Driving Culture ‰‰ Driving is on the right. • Speeding is common. ‰‰ Drivers are required to carry a valid national license, an • Drivers typically run red lights. International Driving Permit (IDP) and proof of third-party • Motorbike drivers weave between cars and lanes. insurance. • Drivers making left turns should be alert to drivers ‰‰ Seat belt use is mandatory for drivers and passengers. attempting to overtake on the right. ‰‰ There are frequent strikes involving public transportation. • On two lane highways, slower drivers often use ‰‰ Drivers may ignore pedestrian signals and marked crossings. the shoulder, while faster drivers ignore double ‰‰ Blood alcohol limit is below 0.049 g/dl. yellow centerlines and pass other vehicles. ‰‰ Placement of road signs frequently makes them difficult to see. • It is common for pedestrians to step into ‰ ‰ Driving at night is not recommended. roadways or ignore crossings and signals. ‰‰ There are 9.1 road deaths per 100,000 people in Greece, compared to 2.8 in Sweden and 2.9 in the UK. • Driving licenses are often acquired without passing a test. Road Conditions • There are approximately 116,960 km (72,675 miles) of roads. • 41,357 km (25,698 miles) of roads are paved, including 1,091 km (677 miles) of expressways. 75,603 km (46,977 miles) are unpaved roads. • Beyond major motorways, road surface conditions vary widely. Paved roads may give way to gravel without warning signs. • Paved roads in rural areas are frequently in poor condition with large potholes. • The modern highway system is generally in good condition. • Highways are designated by the letter A followed by road number; signs are green with white lettering. • Greek National Roadsare usually one- or two-lane roads. National road signs are blue with white lettering and numerals. • European routes running through Greece are indicated by green road signs with the letter E followed by route number. • Many highways, bridges and tunnels require tolls. • Traffic is generally heavy in and around cities. • Numerous secondary roads have three lanes. The middle lane is reserved for vehicles passing from either direction. • Mobile and fixed speed cameras are common. • There are many narrow, unpaved mountain roads and high passes. Roads may lack safety features including guardrails and divided lanes. • Coastal fog can significantly lower visibility. • The following roads may present particular challenges to motorists: »» The Lampiri to Kouli Road is a winding, steep mountain pass. The road is extremely narrow and has sheer drops unprotected by guardrails. Danger increases during rains and snow as the dirt and asphalt surface becomes slick. »» The coastal Kiparissi road is one of the most dangerous in Greece. The road has many hairpin turns, and no rails along long sections of the edge facing the sea. The narrow road is only wide enough for one vehicle in many places, making overtaking risky. Source: CIA Factbook ©ASIRT 2018 1 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Greece »» The Mount Olympus Road from Kalyvia to is a steep, high mountain road with a poorly maintained gravel surface. There are frequent avalanches, heavy snowfalls and landslides. The road has snow for nine months of the year and may not be cleared. »» The road linking Prousos and Karpenisi along the Karpenisiotis River is regarded as one of the most dangerous in Europe. The road has a narrow, asphalt surface. Avalanches and landslides occur year round. During winter months, snow removal may be intermittent. • When street parking, drivers must activate hazard lights to alert pedestrians and other drivers of intention. • Traffic police may remove vehicle license plates for parking violations. • Parking is prohibited in these areas: »» Within 3 meters (9.8 feet) of a fire hydrant. »» Within 5 meters (16 feet) of a pedestrian crossing. »» Within 15 meters (49 feet) of a stop. »» Next to curbs painted with yellow lines. »» Where spaces are marked by blue paint, indicating spot is reserved for local drivers. • Snow tires are not compulsory during winter, but mountain roads may be icy or covered with snow. • Most petrol stations are closed on Sundays. • There are regular inspections of existing road infrastructure. • Formal audits are required for new road construction projects. Regional and Seasonal Conditions • Public demonstrationsand strikes are common in cities and may become violent. • Greece is subject to earthquakes and frequent tremors. Landslides and avalanches are common in mountain areas. • During dry summer months, forest fires are common. Fires may result in road closures, poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions. • Be familiar with emergency procedures. The Red Cross provides a website and free, downloadable emergency app: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies Public Transportation • An extensive public transportation includes city , electric trolley buses, metro, rail and ferries. • Public transportation equipment is generally regarded as safe, but buses, trains and stations have a high crime rate. • Metro and service is limited to . • Buses provide the largest network of transportation in both Maximum Speed Limits cities and rural areas. • Buses are generally modern. Type of road Maximum speed 50 kph • A long distance bus network is operated by KTEL. Urban areas (31 mph) • The national rail network is operated by the Greek Railway 90 kph Rural roads Organisation (Organismos Sidirodromon Ellados, or OSE). (55 mph) • Taxi drivers often speed. 130 kph Motorways • Taxis are required by law to use meters. Drivers may not (80 mph) comply. Request that meter be turned on prior to travel. Always adjust speed according to signage, hazards and • Taxi fares increase at night. weather conditions. • Taxi scams are common. Be alert when paying with cash.

Signs are generally pictorial and may not follow European Union conventions.

No Footpath Pedestrians Fog conditions Oncoming vehicles Priorty over Road has soft Controlled Cyclists and pedestrians cross here likely have priority oncoming shoulders parking area motorbikes vehicles present

©ASIRT 2018 2 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Greece • Taxi color varies with city: Athens (Capital) »» Athens: yellow »»Traffic is chaotic. Narrow roads contribute to congestion. »» Thessaloniki: blue with white »»Drivers are often aggressive. roofs »»Large numbers of motorbikes contribute to hazardous conditions; »» Rural areas: gray or silver motorbike drivers weave among traffic and onto sidewalks. • Pedestrian crossings and signals can »»Pedestrians and drivers often disregard pedestrian crossings and signals. be found in urban areas. »»Parking in central Athens is restricted: On even-numbed days, cars with • Pedestrians should exercise extreme even plate numbers may park; on odd-numbered days, cars with odd plate caution, as even bus and taxi numbers may park. drivers may not observe pedestrian »»Public transportation is subject to frequent interruptions from strikes and zones. demonstrations. • Ferries have been involved in »»The transportation system is well developed. Options include buses, multiple fatalities. trolleys, and the ISAP electric rail system. • Boats may be overcrowded. »»Urban and suburban buses depart from Athens Central Bus Station Kifisos. • Life preservers may be limited »»The bus network includes diesel buses, natural gas buses and electric onboard ferries. For personal trolley buses. safety, bring your own. »»Night bus service is available with limited routes. »» has four lines. Traffic Regulations »»Athens Tram has three lines. • Traffic signs are generally in Greek. »»A suburban rail line begins at with multiple stations, ending at the • Right turns on red are prohibited airport. unless signs indicate otherwise. »»Official city taxis are yellow. • When approaching a junction in »»Taxi drivers regularly speed and ignore traffic rules. cities, drivers must give way to »»Ferry connections depart from Piraeus to outlying islands traffic approaching from the right. »»Athens Airport (Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos) is • In rural areas, moving traffic has located 12 miles (30 km) east of the city. priority over traffic entering from »»Transportation options include Metro , Aghia Marina/Athens secondary roads. International Airport. • When entering a roundabout, »»A suburban rail line connects to Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis drivers must give way to vehicles Station) and SKA Rail Center at Acharnes. approaching from the right. »»Four bus routes connect to city center. Bus pickup is located on the • Horns may not be used unless in an arrivals level between exits 4 and 5. emergency or to warn other drivers »»KTEL operates an express bus service at the arrivals level between exits 2 of hazards. and 3 opposite the airport hotel. Service operates 24 hours a day. • Minimum driving age is 18. Most car »»Most major car rental agencies are represented. rental agencies require drivers to »»Taxis queue outside of arrivals area between exits 2 and 3; there are fixed be 21 or older. fares into the city. • Children under age four are not allowed to sit in front seats of Thessaloniki vehicles, and must be seated in an »»Major port city. appropriate child restraint. »»Traffic is dense. • Children ages five to ten may sit in »»Parking is scare within the city. front seats only if in a suitable child »»Car break-ins are common in shopping and tourist areas. restraint. »»Pedestrians should exercise caution as drivers may not observe crossings • Helmet use is compulsory for and signals. motorcycle drivers and passengers. »»Drivers and motorcyclists often behave recklessly. • Motorcycle helmets must be »»Motorbike drivers may cross onto sidewalks among pedestrians. fastened. »»Public transportation is limited to buses. • Police carry out random breath tests »»Bus routes are extensive and serve metropolitan and outlying areas. for alcohol use. »»Long distance bus service is available to select destinations. • Drivers are required to carry a »»Official taxis are dark blue and white. warning triangle, first aid kit and »»Taxi drivers frequently speed and disregard traffic regulations. fire extinguisher. ©ASIRT 2018 3 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Greece Emergency Information • Responders to emergency numbers in remote areas may not speak English. »» Police, ambulance and fire: 112 • Pre-program emergency numbers into your phone before departure. • Responses to emergency situations may be slow in rural areas. • If involved in a crash: »» Notify police. »» Photograph scene. Collect contact information from other driver(s) and any witnesses. »» Do not move vehicle unless safe to do so or if directed by police. »» Contact rental car agency for assitance.

ASIRT is a non-profit humanitarian organization established in memory of Aron Sobel, age 25, who was killed along with 22 other passengers in a Pamukkale Bus Company crash on the roads of Turkey.

Disclaimer: ASIRT provides this information as a service to travelers. This Road Safety Review is intended to provide general guidelines for travelers to countries around the world. Any electronic links provided in this Report are for illustrative purposes and ASIRT is not responsible for the content provided within these electronic links and/or videos.

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