The updated KOK, set to be voted on Wednesday in Parliament, introduces escalating penalties for repeat offenses and, in certain cases as defined by the Penal Code, sentences as severe as life imprisonment.

Escalating Penalties for Repeat Offenders

For high-risk offenses, penalties increase significantly upon the second and third violations. These include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Running red lights or STOP signs
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Excessive speeding
• Street racing
• Riding a motorcycle without a helmet

Punishments are no longer tied to the vehicle but to the driver, meaning license suspensions instead of license plate confiscation.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated in Parliament, “We cannot surrender to chaos and lawlessness on the roads or in public life in general.”

Deputy Minister of Transport Konstantinos Kyranakis emphasized that the purpose of the stricter KOK is to save lives from reckless and irresponsible drivers. However, he added that strict laws only make a difference when consistently enforced.

Citizen Access to Information

Citizens will be able to consult the Digital Assistant on gov.gr for detailed information about each violation.

Penalties by Violation

Traffic Light & STOP Violations:

• Running a red light without causing an accident results in a €700 fine and 60-day license suspension.
• First repeat offense: €1,000 fine and 180-day suspension.
• Second repeat: €2,000 and 1-year license loss.

STOP Sign Violations:

• First offense (no accident): €350 fine and 30-day suspension.
• First repeat: €1,000 fine and 180-day suspension.
• Second repeat: €2,000 fine.
• If an accident occurs: penalties rise significantly, with possible license loss up to 8 years and fines up to €4,000.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI):
Three alcohol levels are defined:

1. 0.50–0.80 g/l: €350 fine and 30-day license loss.
2. 0.80–1.10 g/l: €700 fine and 90-day suspension; vehicle impounded.
3. Over 1.10 g/l: €1,200 fine, 6-month suspension, and vehicle impounded.

For repeat DUI offenders:

• First repeat: €2,000 fine and 7-year license suspension.
• Second repeat: €4,000 fine and 10-year license loss.
• Criminal penalties: up to 5 years in prison, and registration documents can be suspended for 10 days to 6 months.

Mobile Phone Use While Driving:

• No accident: €350 fine and 30-day suspension.
• First repeat: €1,000 and 180-day suspension.
• Second repeat: €2,000 and 1-year suspension.
• If an accident is caused: up to €4,000 fine and 8-year suspension.

Motorcycle Helmet Use:

• Not wearing a helmet: €350 and 30-day suspension.
• First repeat: €1,000 and 6-month suspension.
• Second repeat: doubled penalties.
• Both driver and helmetless passenger fined €350, even if the driver wears a helmet.

Abandoning an Injured Person Now a Felony

Railway Obstruction:

• Administrative fine of €1,200 and 60-day suspension.
• Criminal penalties: 1–5 years in prison and €2,000 fine.

New Tech and Enforcement Tools

• Cameras: Over 2,500 traffic cameras will be installed nationwide by 2026.
• Digital Citations: A centralized system will allow for digital ticket issuance.
• Accident Map: A digital platform (accidents.maps.gov.gr) will show accident hotspots to help municipalities implement road safety measures.

Accident Trends and Statistics

Accidents are more frequent during weekends, especially early mornings. While fatalities have dropped from 2,182 in 1998 to 665 in 2024, Greece remains above the EU average in road deaths.

Other Updates:

• Athens and Thessaloniki will renew their bus fleets, with faster and more frequent routes. Priority lanes are being expanded.
• Taxis are granted limited exemptions, such as for nighttime operation, disabled passengers, or dialysis patients.