Thousands fined for helmet violations in week two of safety campaign
Greece’s nationwide traffic safety campaign “Zero Tolerance for Not Wearing a Helmet” is showing early results — and revealing widespread non-compliance — as over 3,000 helmet-related violations were recorded in its second week alone, police have announced.
From July 7 to 13, officers across the country conducted 25,041 checks, identifying 2,578 violations by drivers and 461 by passengers on two-wheeled vehicles.
The overwhelming majority — 2,404 violations — involved motorcycle and moped drivers, including 141 delivery workers, a category under increased scrutiny due to their high exposure to traffic risks. Meanwhile, 446 passengers were found without helmets, alongside 113 violations by drivers of scooters and other personal electric vehicles, and 55 cases involving quad bikes.
Attica Leads in Infractions
The region of Attica topped the list with 936 recorded violations, followed by the South Aegean (264), Thessaloniki (262), and Western Greece (248). Other notable figures came from Crete (224), the Ionian Islands (218), and the Peloponnese (204). In contrast, Western Macedonia reported only 19 violations, suggesting higher compliance or lower usage of two-wheeled vehicles in that region.
Stiff Penalties Under New Rules
Under the updated highway code, the fine for not wearing a helmet is €350 — applicable to both drivers and passengers. In addition, motorcycle drivers who fail to ensure passenger safety also face a 30-day license suspension. For light personal electric vehicles, such as e-scooters, the penalty stands at €30.
Authorities say the campaign will continue across the country, emphasizing road safety awareness and strict enforcement. Officials are urging both riders and passengers to adhere to the law, not only to avoid penalties but to protect lives on the road.
