The speed management situation in Greece
Problem description
Excessive speed is one of the main causes of road accidents in Greece. The analysis of the accident data of the years 2005-2006 showed that:
- Excessive speed has contributed to 8% of the Greek accidents during 2005 and to 9% during 2006.
- The fatal accidents caused by inappropriate speed corresponded to 21% of the total during 2005 and to 22% during 2006.
- Excessive speed accidents with pedestrian involvement represented 1,3% of the total road accident population during 2005 (from which 12% were fatal) and 2% during 2006 (from which 17% were fatal).
(Source of data: National Statistics Database)
Existing measures
In terms of the development of the National Road Safety Strategic Plan, a study is realised in order to determine the methodological framework for the determination of new road speed limits in the main network of Greece. From the first results of the above study, some road speed limits have already been changed in order to be appropriate for modern vehicle technology and for new road infrastructures. In addition, the last ten years in the main axis of Greece, speed monitoring systems are placed, in order to record the vehicle speed and detect offenders. Until now, there are 70 locations of road network that are equipped with the above ITS technology and another 290 are going to be equipped during the next years.
In specific road segments where a lot of accidents have occurred, special equipment is used in order to inform drivers of their driving speed or for the speed limit at this segment. Radio and TV campaigns are also used in order to incentivise drivers to adopt the proper driving behaviour regarding speed. In 2005, the Ministry of Transport sponsored the publication of "Traffic Behaviour" books for the students of the secondary school classes.
The new Road Traffic Code, which is enforced since 2007, imposes fines from 80 until 350 Euros for the speed offences and driving license suspension up to 60 days. The Penalty Point System is another countermeasure that came into force on April 2007. Drivers can be penalised with minimum 5 points (depending on the speed offence).
Success stories
The most successful actions in reducing speed offences and accidents are the following:
Monitoring and recording vehicle speed technologies :
- Since the ITS technology is used in order to monitor and record the speed of vehicles, a reduction of speed infractions and accidents up to 3% per year is observed.
- The ITS technology in combination with the proper police enforcement and the new increased fines contributed to the above mentioned reduction.
Determination of speed limits :
- The new methodological framework for the determination of speed limits resulted to more realistic limits -especially for the new axis of Greek network -that are accepted by the drivers and much more easily adopted.
What is needed for the future?
The road safety problem is one of the major issues that the Greek government has to handle. The actions that have been decided in order to improve the level of safety in Greece are shared between different Ministries and Administrations. All these actors have to establish a common Road Safety Council that will be in charge to monitor and to improve traffic safety in the country. This council should be appointed to implement the National Road Safety Strategic Plan.
Another step that may lead to the improvement of traffic safety and to appropriate driving speed is the usage of methods by the authorities, which will mobilise the public towards careful/calm driving. This can be achieved through campaigns for the public, TV and Radio spots, seminars, dissemination actions and training.
The implementation of the methodological framework, in order to determine the new speed limits and also the locations of the road network that speed monitoring systems must be placed, is also crucial for the success of the Road Safety Strategic Plan and the reduction of accidents.