Greece introduces tougher penalties for illegal U-turns under new traffic code
Greece’s new Road Traffic Code (KOK) has introduced tougher penalties for dangerous driving violations, with repeat offenses and violations that result in accidents potentially leading to fines of up to €4,000 and driving bans of up to eight years.
One of the provisions attracting attention concerns illegal U-turns, particularly on divided roads, at intersections and in areas where such maneuvers are prohibited.
The new penalty framework places particular emphasis on repeat serious traffic violations, with sanctions increasing when drivers repeatedly commit the same offense.
Fines can reach €4,000 in serious repeat cases
Under the new KOK, the most severe penalties can apply when a serious traffic violation is repeated and results in a road accident.
In such cases, fines can rise to €4,000, while the driver’s license can be suspended for up to eight years.
However, the €4,000 fine and eight-year driving ban do not automatically apply to every driver who makes an illegal U-turn.
The highest penalties are reserved for aggravated circumstances, particularly when the same serious violation is repeated and the offense is linked to an accident.
Penalties increase with repeat offenses
A key feature of the new traffic code is its graduated penalty system.
Drivers committing a serious traffic violation for the first time can face significantly lighter sanctions than those who repeatedly commit the same type of offense.
For certain violations, a second offense can result in a fine of €2,000, while subsequent offenses can lead to fines of up to €4,000 and driving bans ranging from four to eight years.
The system is intended to target persistent dangerous driving rather than impose the maximum penalty for every individual violation.
Drivers warned over dangerous U-turns
The tougher rules are aimed at deterring driving behavior that can increase the risk of serious crashes.
Illegal U-turns can be particularly dangerous because they may bring a vehicle directly into the path of oncoming traffic, especially on divided roads and near intersections.
Drivers in Greece are therefore being urged to pay attention not only to the immediate financial penalties but also to the significantly longer driving bans that can follow repeated serious violations.
The new KOK represents a broader effort to strengthen deterrence against dangerous driving and improve road safety across Greece.
