Traffic violations surged across Athens during the Easter holiday, as unusually empty streets encouraged dangerous driving behavior.
With much of the city’s population traveling for the holiday, major roads in the Greek capital saw significantly reduced traffic. However, the lack of congestion appeared to embolden some drivers, who were caught running red lights, speeding, and ignoring road signs.
Footage aired by MEGA TV showed multiple violations at key intersections. In one instance, a driver entered Poseidonos Avenue, Athens’ main coastal road, before the traffic light turned green, while another ran a red light shortly after.
Elsewhere, a delivery driver mounted the sidewalk to avoid a detour, and several motorists performed illegal U-turns.
At a major intersection on the same Avenue, cameras recorded a steady stream of violations within minutes. Despite clear signage requiring drivers to continue straight or turn right, one driver made an illegal left turn, crossing tram tracks. Similar behavior was observed from the opposite direction, while motorcyclists used pedestrian crossings as improvised roadways.
The near-empty roads also led to excessive speeding. Around midday, wide, three-lane stretches of Poseidonos Avenue gave some drivers a false sense of freedom, prompting them to exceed speed limits.
On Kalamakiou Avenue, in the coastal suburb of Alimos, red light violations were reported as routine during the holiday period.
Officials warn that reduced traffic does not equate to safer driving conditions. On the contrary, the absence of congestion can lower driver alertness and delay reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents.
