Attica Traffic Police operations continue at an intensive pace to prevent accidents and tragedies on the roads, by detecting violators of the Highway Code who consume more than the permitted amount of alcohol before getting behind the wheel. The sweeping checks are confirmed in footage brought to light by parapolitika.gr, showing police officers stopping drivers on the coastal highway to determine whether they have exceeded the 0.25 mg/l limit allowed for drivers. As it turns out, however, violators are not few, including even a taxi driver who was not allowed to take back his vehicle after the relevant check revealed alcohol consumption above the permitted level, resulting in his taxi being impounded.
According to parapolitika.gr, in just five days, from 06:00 Thursday morning until the corresponding time on Monday, 7,623 checks were conducted. 138 violations for driving under the influence of alcohol were detected, while authorities arrested 13 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol to a misdemeanor degree.
@parapolitika Sweeping traffic police checks with breathalyzers on Poseidon Avenue #parapolitikagr #tiktokgreece #greece ♬ original sound – Parapolitika.gr
New highway code: breathalyzer tests and fines
Regarding driving under the influence, the new highway code provides for three levels of impairment, with stricter penalties for those who get behind the wheel after consuming larger amounts of alcohol.
The first category concerns drivers who have 0.50 to 0.80 grams of alcohol per liter of blood, who will be required to pay a fine of 350 euros and lose their license for 30 days. The second category concerns drivers in whose bloodstream a quantity of 0.80 to 1.10 grams is detected, with fines reaching 700 euros and driving license suspension for 90 days. The vehicle is mandatorily immobilized and impounded.
For these two categories, the first repeat offense incurs a 1,000 euro fine and license suspension for 180 days. Any second repeat offense equals a fine of 2,000 euros and license removal for one year.
The third category includes drivers found to have more than 1.10 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. The first violation carries a fine of 1,200 euros, license removal for six months, and vehicle immobilization and impoundment.
The escalation of fines in case of repeat offenses provides for a 2,000 euro fine and license removal for seven years after the first repeat offense, and a 10-year license suspension plus 4,000 euro fine for the second repeat offense.
On the criminal side, the offender faces imprisonment from two months to five years, as well as removal of vehicle registration documents for 10 days to six months.
