Greek traffic police are ramping up alcohol roadblocks across Athens as the Christmas and New Year holiday period approaches, following a weekend of intensive checks that identified dozens of drivers under the influence.
According to the Traffic Police Directorate, at least 9,000 breathalyzer tests were carried out across the wider Athens area over the weekend. The checks resulted in numerous violations, highlighting that drunk driving remains a persistent road safety concern despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
Speaking about the findings, Greek Police’s spokesperson said sobriety checks are continuing at a steady pace throughout the capital. She noted that while an increase in inspections naturally leads to more violations being recorded, the overall picture shows some improvement compared to the past.
“We are no longer seeing alcohol levels that frequently justify immediate arrest procedures,” she said. “What we are seeing more often are lower readings. However, this does not mean the problem has been solved. There are still drivers who do not understand that alcohol and driving do not go together.”
Dimoglidou also stressed that even small amounts of alcohol can lead to a violation, as individual tolerance varies. “For some people, even a single drink is enough to produce a positive breath test,” she explained.
Authorities have confirmed that alcohol checks will be further intensified during the holiday period, when social gatherings and travel typically increase. The goal, police say, is prevention rather than punishment, with a focus on reducing road accidents and encouraging safer driving behavior during one of the busiest times of the year.
