Electric scooters and bicycles are new ways of getting around and we should get used to them. We need to learn that speed is also an issue for these means of transport. Moreover, when speeds of more than 20-25 km/h are reached, we are at high risk of a crash like all other vehicles.
Drivers’ and passengers’ safety
It is all about speed. When we go over 20-25 km, we definitely need a helmet. As this is the case in most countries where it is required by law, the same should apply in Greece. When the speed increases, we have to take safety measures, wear a helmet and understand that we are driving as if we are driving a vehicle that can develop speeds.
The systematic enforcement
There is a pervasive misunderstanding throughout Greek society about the role of speed in road crashes. Most drivers travel at inappropriate speeds, both with cars and motorcycles, and recently with bicycles and scooters as well, believing that crashes happen to others. This misunderstanding is reinforced by the Traffic Police and the Mass Media. When a crash occurs, it is rarely reported that the one who was speeding is to blame, but usually it is attributed to poor road conditions, bad luck moment or anything else. The culture of all drivers needs to change, and culture changes through coordinated efforts. The simplest and fastest intervention is systematic enforcement. This is strongly supported by Transportation Engineers for many years, but it is not applied, as it is difficult to impose strict and high fines. We need many fines that are low in cost in order to change driver’s culture. The aim is to realize that gradually drivers should not receive any fines and there are no violations at all. It is a fundamental effort that the Traffic Police should make and systematically strive to conduct regular checks for speeding and helmet use.
Installation cameras for bus lanes
Based on the current situation, there are only a few cameras installed in few bus lanes.
For decades, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has announced that cameras will be installed on bus lanes but this measure is not implemented due to data protection, organisation or procurement issues. Obviously, in order to control speeding and helmet offences, we need to install cameras everywhere which will work. In Attiki Odos, there are cameras but they do not work. If cameras are installed, the situation will be changed dramatically. Greece has the potential to reduce road crashes. If we control speed and helmets, which are the two major issues for Greece, from the 23rd place where we are today compared to the EU ranking, we can drop to 10-15th place within 6 months or a year.
It is worth noting that in Greece, motorcycles are involved in 36% of road crashes, while the relevant percentage of crashes in Europe is 18%. This is because we have a very low rate of helmet use. If motorcyclists, cyclists and those who ride scooters wore helmets, we would be able to dramatically reduce the crash rates in which our country lags behind. In conclusion, as a society we need to realize that speed is the major problem and that it affects us all.
Interview on the broadcast Newsroom on the SKAI tv channel in July 2023
