Safety fears over reduced fines in Greece

ETSC’s Greek member organisation RSI Panos Mylonas has strongly rejected a government proposal to cut fines for traffic offences including speeding and use of mobile phones at the wheel.

The plans came to light in a Sunday newspaper interview with deputy minister Nikolaos Toskas. Mr Toskas commented that the current fines are too high for Greek people facing difficult economic circumstances.

While sympathetic to the harsh financial pressures many Greeks are facing, RSI Panos Mylonas and ETSC commented that the move would be a backward step for road safety in Greece. Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of ETSC said: “The reduction of fines sends entirely the wrong message.”

RSI Panos Mylonas pointed out that road collisions, and their associated health and societal costs, place a heavy economic burden on Greece and encouraged the government to boost levels of enforcement in the country.