The new Traffic Code being passed in Parliament today emphasizes very dangerous offences linked to a large number of accidents.

The government’s aim is through heavier penalties, even up to life imprisonment in the event of a fatal road accident, to bring about a change in culture by separating the first offence from ongoing offences, which are punished even more severely.

“We cannot capitulate to the chaos and lawlessness on the streets and in the public sphere in general,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in his speech at the Parliament.

The Christmas speech of the President of the Republic of Cyprus in the House of Representatives in Athens.

Scaled ropes

In this context, a graduated penal code is established to impose stricter consequences on repeat offenders who commit serious offences, while also providing for increased penalties in the event of an accident.

The offences for which scaled penalties will be applied include driving under the influence of alcohol, violating a red light or STOP sign, using a cell phone while driving, exceeding the speed limit by a large amount, “racing,” and riding a motorcycle without a helmet.

The goal is to make travel safer for everyone and protect lives.

The penalties for driving with a mobile phone

An illustrative example of this new penalty structure is the treatment of mobile phone use, which in 2024 was the 3rd leading cause of traffic accidents in Greece. Today, regardless of causing an accident, cell phone use draws a 60-day suspension of a driver’s license and license plates.

Henceforth, if the offence does not cause an accident, a fine of 350 euros and licence withdrawal for 30 days is provided for, but on the first offence, the fine more than doubles to 1,000 euros and the loss of the licence amounts to 180 days. If the driver repeats the offence, a fine of €2,000 and the loss ofa  licence for one year will be imposed. And if an accident is caused, the first repeat offence will result in a fine of €2,000 and a four-year licence suspension. A second offence will result in a fine of €4,000 and an 8-year driving licence suspension.

But regardless of whether it is the first, second or third offence, there is now a criminal dimension to causing an accident, which did not exist in the past. Under Article 290A of the Penal Code, imprisonment of up to 10 years if serious bodily injury or damage to public utilities is caused, imprisonment of 10 to 20 years in the case of a fatal road traffic accident and up to life imprisonment if several lives are lost.

Helmet use by bicyclists

A second example of escalating penalties is the use of helmet by bicyclists. Nearly 4 in 10 road accident deaths in Greece in 2023 were on a two-wheeler, while helmet use rates are low compared to the rest of Europe, especially for passengers.

Currently, there is a revocation of driving licence and plates for 60 days, while passengers simply risk a 50 euro fine. Now, not wearing a helmet carries a fine of 350 euros and a licence withdrawal for 30 days, but on the first offence, a repeat offender will face a 1,000-euro fine and a licence withdrawal for six months, penalties doubled in the case of a second offence.

If the co-passenger does not wear a helmet, both he or she and the driver will be fined 350 euros, even if the latter was wearing his or her own.

Driving while intoxicated

Regarding driving while intoxicated, which is estimated to be associated with 25% of deaths on the road in Greece in 2024, the CC provides for three levels of intoxication, with stricter penalties for those who get behind the wheel having consumed larger amounts of alcohol.

The first category is for drivers who have 0.50 to 0.80 grams per litre of blood, who will be asked to pay a €350 fine and lose their licence for 30 days. If 0.80 to 1.10 grams are detected in their bloodstream, the fine will be 700 euros and their driving licence will be surrendered for 90 days. The vehicle is compulsorily immobilised and stored.

For these two categories, a first repeat offence carries a 1,000 fine and a 180-day licence revocation. A second repeat offence is equivalent to a fine of €2,000 and a licence revocation for one year.

The third category includes drivers found to have more than 1.10 g/l in their blood. The first offence is subject to a fine of 1,200 euros, the withdrawal of the licence for six months, immobilisation and storage of the vehicle.

The escalation of penalties in case of a repeat offence provides for a fine of 2,000 euros and a licence revocation for seven years after the first repeat offence, and a 10-year licence revocation plus a 4,000-euro fine for the second repeat offence. On the criminal side, the offender faces a prison sentence of two months to five years, and removal of vehicle registration data for 10 days to six months.

Article 290A of the Criminal Code applies here as well.

STOP

Another example is the STOP violation, to which 16% of accidents in Greece in 2022 were linked. Today, there is no distinction between causing or not causing an accident, which is changing, along with escalating penalties for serial offenders.

Without causing an accident, the first offence comes with a fine of €350 and a 30-day licence revocation. For those who repeat the offence, the fine “climbs” to 1,000 euros, and the loss of the licence is extended to 180 days. A second repeat offence means a 2,000 euro fine.

In the case of causing an accident, the first penalty is a 700 euro fine and loss of licence for 60 days, any repeat offence leads to a 2,000 euro fine and loss of licence for four years. A new repeat offence draws a 4,000 euro fine and the offender also loses his/her licence for 8 years. The penalties of Article 290A of the Criminal Code apply here as well.