In view of the celebration of “Dormition of the Mother of God” on December 15th 2024, the police have prepared a special plan and are taking increased road safety and traffic policing measures to ensure the safe movement of citizens and prevent road accidents throughout the country’s road network.

More specifically, the measures include:

– Policing of the road network by sectors, based on the specific traffic conditions of each region,
– Increased police presence and targeted policing at the points on the road network where there is a high incidence of road accidents,
– Intensive traffic policing measures at the entrances/exits of large urban centers where there is an increased flow of traffic,
– Special actions and increased traffic police measures within cities,
– Increased traffic police measures in areas where there is a mass concentration of passengers (airports, ports, ports, stations, etc.),
– Setting up general and special traffic control teams, focusing on the detection of dangerous offences and offences which, according to statistics, are responsible for causing serious road accidents (speeding, drink-driving, illegal overtaking, use of mobile phones while driving, non-use of protective helmets, etc.),
– Ensuring timely cooperation and coordination with all relevant bodies – services, where required,
– Informing citizens through the competent communication services of the Police, 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 Police, especially the Traffic Services, will be in increased operational readiness. Specifically, patrol cars, motorcycles and conventional vehicles will be made available with the appropriate personnel and equipment for the effective policing of the country’s road network.

At the same time, the Police recommends that citizens:

– Before traveling, to carry out a technical check on their vehicle and to be informed about the condition of the road network and weather conditions.
– They should be particularly careful when driving and observe the rules of the Road Traffic Code.
– Respect road signs and comply with the instructions of traffic police officers.
– Not to use mobile phones or other distracting devices while driving.
– Not to consume alcoholic beverages while driving.
– Protect children in the vehicle by making use of child seats.
– It is essential to “wear” seat belts, as well as helmets on motorcycles.
– Not to overestimate their driving skills and the technical capabilities of their vehicles.
– Respect and protect their passengers and fellow road users by driving their vehicle responsibly and considerately.

Prohibition of over 3.5 tonnes trucks’ movement

For the safer movement of vehicles and the improvement of road traffic during the celebration of 15 August 2024, there will be a ban on all lorries with a maximum permissible weight of more than 3.5 tonnes on sections of motorways and highways on the days and at the times shown below:

On Wednesday 14 August 2024, from 16:00 to 22:00, and on Saturday 17 August 2024 from 08:00 to 13:00:

(a) On the A8 motorway (Athens-Patras) from the Elefsina Diode (P.O.D. 26+500) to the Rio Diode (P.O.D. 199+660) in the direction of Patras.

(b) On the A1 motorway (Athens-Thessaloniki-Euzoni), from the junction of Ag. Stefanou (Kryoneri) (CH 27+960) to the junction of Bralos (CH 203+065), from the junction of Roditsa (Lamia) (CH.T. 212+625) to the junction of Rachon Fthiotida (T.T. 242+479), from the Diodia Makrychori (T.T. 374+291) to the junction of Leptokaria (T.T. 410+359) in the direction of Thessaloniki.

(c) On the National Road Thessaloniki-N. Moudania, from the bridge of Thermi to the junction of N. Moudania (61,5 km) in the direction of Halkidiki.

(d) On the motorway A11 (Schimatari – Chalkida), from its junction with the motorway A1 (65+820 km) to the high bridge of Chalkida (12+300 km) in the direction of Chalkida.

(e) On the Thessaloniki – Kavala national road, from the 11th km (11+340) until the junction Leo Amphipolis (97+550) in the direction of Kavala.

(f) On the A5 motorway (Ionian Road) from the Rio-Antirrio bridge “Charilaos Trikoupis” (Rio area, T.D. 11+558,47) to the end of the Ionian Road (T.D. 200+991) in the direction of Ioannina.

(g) On the A7 motorway (Central Peloponnese), from the Corinth Motorway (85+300 A.D.) to the Spartas level roundabout (240+800 A.D.) (Kalamata Perimeter) in the direction of Kalamata.

(h) On the A71 motorway (Lefktro-Sparta) from Lefktro (0+000) to Sparta (45+000) in the direction of Sparta.

(i) On the National Road Ioannina – Arta – Antirrio in the direction to Antirrio.

(j) On the National Road Thessaloniki – Polygyros (E.O.16), from the bridge of Thermi to the boundaries of the P.E. Thessaloniki (junction of Agia Anastasia) in the direction of Polygyros.

On Sunday 18 August 2024, from 16:00 to 23:00:

(a) On the A8 motorway (Athens-Patras), from Diodia Rio (TAI 199+660) to Diodia Elefsina (TAI 26+500) in the direction of Athens.

(b) On the A1 motorway (Athens-Thessaloniki-Euzoni), in the direction of Athens, from the Leptokaria junction (T.O.D. 410+359) to the Makrychori Toll (T.O.D. 374+291), from the Rahon junction in Fthiotida (T.O.D. 374+291), from the Rahon junction in Fthiotida (T.O.D. 374+291), in the direction of Athens (T.O.D. 410+359) to the Makrychori Toll (T.O.D. 374+291).T. 242+479) to the junction of Roditsa (Lamia) (T.T. 212+625), and from the junction of Bralos (T.T. 203+065) to the junction of Ag. Stefanou (Kryoneri) (T.T. 27+960) in the direction of Athens.

(c) On the National Road N. Moudania – Thessaloniki from the N. Moudania junction (61,5 km) to the Thermi air bridge in the direction of Thessaloniki.

(d) On the motorway A11 (Schimatari – Chalkida), from the high bridge of Chalkida (12+300 A.D.) to its intersection with the motorway A1 (65+820 A.D.) in the direction of Athens.

(e) On the National Road Kavala – Thessaloniki from the junction Leo Amphipolis (DD 97+550) until the 11th km (DD 11+340) of this road in the direction to Thessaloniki.

(f) On the A5 motorway (Ionian Road), from the end of the Ionian Road (CH 200+991) to the bridge of Rio – Antirrio “Charilaos Trikoupis” (Rio area CH 1+558,47) in the direction of Rio.

(g) On the A7 motorway (Central Peloponnese), from the Flat Cycle Junction of Sparta (A.D. 240+800) (Kalamata Perimeter) to the Corinth A/C (A.D. 85+300) in the direction of Athens.

(h) On the A71 motorway (Lefktro-Sparta), from the Sparta A/K (45+000 A.D.) to the Lefktro A/K (0+000) in the direction of Lefktro.

(i) On the National Road Ioannina – Arta – Antirio in the direction to Ioannina.

(j) On the National Road Thessaloniki – Polygyros (E.O.16), from the boundaries of the P.E. of Thessaloniki (Agia Anastasia junction) to the bridge of Thermi in the direction of Thessaloniki.

Exempted from the traffic ban:

(a) Vehicles offering roadside assistance, in accordance with Law. 3651/2008, the trucks of ELTA, the trucks of the delivery companies, the public (F.D.X.) and private (F.I.X.) trucks transporting live animals, perishable foodstuffs, as mentioned in the international agreement ATP, (Article 3 of Chapter II of No. 50786/3319/2014 (B’ 2418), provided that the percentage of the load of the above products transported is at least 10% of the payload.

(b) Towed vehicles if they provide road assistance work in accordance with articles 1 and 6 of Law 3651/2008 (Government Gazette A 44/18.03.2008) and do not carry other materials or equipment beyond those necessary for the provision of services for the road assistance work and have documents or relevant electronic information on the urgency of their mission for the provision of road assistance.

(c) Water tankers (water trucks) when they are moving to respond to forest fires.

(d) Public (F.D.H.) and private (P.I.H.) trucks (refrigerated trucks) transporting fresh fruit and vegetable products.

(e) Trucks transporting by-products of animal origin for inactivation, in accordance with Regulation EC 1069/2009, provided that they have a relevant permit from the Veterinary Directorate of the relevant Region and are accompanied by the required commercial document.

(f) The trucks of the Public Utility Organizations (DEDDIE, ADMIE, OTE, Natural Gas, etc.) when they move for the restoration of emergency failures of their networks and only if accompanied by a written order of the relevant organization.

(g) Tankers carrying fuel for the supply of fire-fighting equipment, provided that this is supported by appropriate documents or vouchers.

(h) Trucks transporting equipment for musical and theatrical performances and trucks used to perform and transport equipment for the coverage of television and motion picture events.

(i) Trucks carrying oxygen for medical purposes.

(j) The project machinery of the ICRC and trucks used to deal with emergencies, at the request of the competent Civil Protection service and with a decision of the locally competent Traffic Directorate.

(k) Emergency vehicles.

(l) The trucks and project machinery of the concession companies managing the motorways and their subcontractors in order to carry out the work assigned to them without hindrance.

(m) The lorries of the “The Smile of the Child” Organisation.

(n) The trucks transporting racing cars and the trucks modified into motorized repair-maintenance vehicles (service) for the assistance of racing cars.