In a detailed post on traffic accidents, the Minister of State, Akis Schertsosnotes from the beginning that “there is no more unjust and tragic death than fatal traffic accidents. They break up families. They take the lives of young people as well as vulnerable elderly people. And they leave those left behind with a huge, inexplicable “why” forever. Accidents that cause serious injuries and disabilities that unfortunately accompany the victims for the rest of their lives are also very painful.”
But, he continues, “our country, thanks mainly to the improvement of passive and active safety of vehicles and the modernization of the road network, has recorded a large reduction in traffic deaths by 2/3 from the beginning of 2000 to today. They used to exceed 2,000 per year while now they range between 600-650 per year or 60-65 per million population.
Can we be complacent? No. Because in the rest of Europe deaths from traffic police they do not exceed 45 per million population, with the result that Greece is still in the worst positions in the EU in terms of loss of life from traffic accidents.
What are we doing to change this tragic reality that takes the lives of 650 of our fellow human beings every year, leaving at the same time thousands injured with serious health problems?
The answer is that the problem of dangerous and irresponsible driving cannot be dealt with by a single measure. Nor is it easily or quickly resolved.
In principle, a good study of the long-term statistical data is required in order to understand what the profile of Greek drivers is. What are the main causes of accidents? When and where do they happen more often”, he says and adds:
“In our country, for example, we found that the deaths of bicyclists are almost half of all fatal traffic accidents, a percentage much higher than the rest of Europe. Or that most fatalities occur at night, due to high speeds and alcohol use, especially on weekends, with intensity in the summer months. And with negative protagonists, in terms of population density, the islands of the North and South Aegean, Ionia and Central Greece.
For all this, a complex strategy and coordination of many ministries and politicians is required in order to bring about the desired result”.
As for what are the main pillars of this strategy, the Minister of State answers:
* Better road axles.
* Better pavements and more footpaths, cycleways and bus lanes.
* Traffic lights that prioritize pedestrians over cars.
* More, more modern and more reliable means of public transport.
* A strict but at the same time realistic and effective penalty framework of the Road Traffic Code.
* Take advantage of new technologies with cameras and digital calls that are automatically confirmed.
* More and better targeted physical traffic controls (eg at night especially for alcohol).
* Special training courses in our schools.
* And of course ongoing awareness and information campaigns.
All these measures must be planned and implemented simultaneously over several years in order to lead to the desired culture change that will bring better results over time.”
Therefore, “is there any hope that something is changing? The answer is yes.
2025 is the first year that, due to the implementation of this multi-dimensional strategy, we finally see during the January – September period the needle moving significantly downwards compared to previous years.
So far, the evidence says the following:
* 9 months 2019: 536 dead
* 9th month 2023: 473 dead
* 9th month 2025: 421 dead
During the first nine months of 2025, therefore, there have been 115 fewer road traffic deaths compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (-21.5%) and 52 fewer compared to 2023.
In fact, if it is taken into account that our country now annually welcomes approximately 41-42 million tourists (from 31 million in 2019), of which 10% participate in traffic accidents, expanding the population that can potentially be involved in road accidents or accidents, then the reduction in deaths reaches 27.5% in six years.
The report will of course be made at the end of the year, and we hope that both collectively and individually, we will continue to show more responsibility when we drive.”
However, he clarifies that “the evidence so far shows that the Greek pathogens are not invincible. To overcome them requires time, serious study of the problem, a wide range of policies that must be designed and implemented in a coordinated and consistent manner. And of course political stability and institutional continuity of the state”.
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