Greece Enacts Stricter Traffic Laws, Imposing Harsh Penalties for Repeat Offenders

Greece has enacted sweeping reforms to its Traffic Code, introducing dramatically escalated penalties for repeat offenders of dangerous driving violations — including drunk driving, using a mobile phone at the wheel, and running red lights.

The new legislation also imposes new criminal liability for causing serious

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended the strict measures in Parliament, declaring: "We cannot compromise with chaos and lawlessness in any aspect of public life.

The new code imposes penalties proportionate to the danger, distinguishing between first-time offenses and recidivism."

Mr. Mitsotakis warned that inaction would further damage the social fabric.

Under the revised code, penalties for mobile phone use while driving, identified as the third leading cause of Greek road deaths in 2024, have significantly increased.

A first offense without an accident now incurs a 350 euro fine and a 30-day license suspension. A first repeat offense escalates to a 1,000 euro fine and a 180-day suspension, while a second repeat leads to a 2,000 euro fine and a one-year suspension.

If an accident is caused on a first repeat offense, the penalty is a 2,000 euro fine and a four-year suspension, escalating to a 4,000 euro fine and an eight-year suspension for a second repeat offense causing an accident.

Drunk driving, linked to 25% of 2024 road fatalities, now faces tiered penalties based on blood alcohol level and repeat offenses. For example, a blood alcohol level exceeding 1.10g/L on a first offense results in a 1,200 euro fine, a six-month license suspension, and vehicle impoundment.

A first repeat for this level carries a 2,000 euro fine and a seven-year suspension, while a second repeat leads to a 4,000 euro fine and a 10-year suspension.

Failure to wear a motorcycle helmet, a factor in nearly 40% of 2023 road deaths involving motorcyclists, also sees harsher penalties.

A first offense for the driver incurs a 350 euro fine and a 30-day suspension, while a passenger without a helmet incurs a 50 euro fine.

A first repeat for the driver leads to a 1,000 euro fine and a six-month suspension, and a second repeat results in a 2,000 euro fine and a one-year suspension. If a passenger is without a helmet, the driver is fined 350 euros, even if the driver is helmeted.

Running red lights or stop signs, which caused 16% of 2022 accidents, is subject to similar escalating penalties.

A first offense without an accident brings a 350 euro fine and a 30-day suspension. A first repeat offense results in a 1,000 euro fine and a 180-day suspension.

If an accident is caused on a first offense, the fine is 700 euros and a 60-day suspension. Causing an accident on a repeat offense escalates to a 2,000 euro fine and a four-year suspension for the first repeat, and a 4,000 euro fine and an eight-year suspension for the second repeat.

The reforms aim to curb Greece's persistently high road fatality rates by targeting high-risk behaviors and repeat violators with unambiguous, severe sanctions.

Enforcement of the new code began immediately.

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