Greek police are stepping up traffic measures nationwide ahead of the August 15 holiday, known in Greece as the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, with increased patrols, targeted checks and traffic restrictions aimed at improving road safety during the holiday period.
The measures include increased police presence on major roads, particularly at locations where traffic accidents are more frequent, as well as intensified enforcement at the entrances and exits of major urban centers where traffic volumes are expected to increase.
Additional traffic measures will be implemented inside cities and at locations where large numbers of passengers gather, including airports, ports and transportation stations.
Police will also conduct general and targeted traffic checks, focusing on dangerous violations and offenses that statistical data indicate are linked to serious traffic accidents. These include speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal passing, mobile phone use while driving and failure to wear a helmet.
Police said personnel and vehicles, including patrol cars, motorcycles and other vehicles, will remain on increased operational readiness throughout the measures.
Authorities are advising drivers to check their vehicles before traveling and to stay informed about road and weather conditions. Drivers are also urged to follow traffic regulations and road signs, comply with traffic officers’ instructions, avoid using mobile phones or other distracting devices while driving, refrain from drinking alcohol if they intend to drive, use child safety seats and wear seat belts and motorcycle helmets.
Drivers are also urged not to overestimate their driving abilities or the capabilities of their vehicles and to drive responsibly, respecting passengers and other road users.
Truck restrictions on major roads
To improve traffic flow and road safety during the 2026 August 15 holiday, trucks with a maximum permitted weight of more than 3.5 tons will be prohibited from traveling on specified sections of highways and national roads at designated times.
The restrictions do not apply to a number of vehicles serving essential or emergency purposes.
Exemptions include road-assistance vehicles; trucks operated by the Hellenic Post and newspaper distribution companies; vehicles carrying live animals or perishable food products, provided the specified cargo accounts for at least 10% of their useful load; and crane trucks providing road assistance.
Also exempt are water tankers responding to forest fires; refrigerated trucks carrying fresh fruits and vegetables; vehicles used exclusively to transport table olives; trucks transporting animal byproducts for disposal under EU Regulation 1069/2009 when properly authorized; and utility-company vehicles responding to emergency network failures.
Fuel tankers supplying firefighting vehicles are also exempt when supported by the required documentation, as are trucks transporting equipment for musical and theatrical performances and for television and film events.
Other exemptions cover trucks transporting medical oxygen, emergency vehicles, vehicles and machinery responding to emergencies at the request of civil protection authorities, and vehicles operated by motorway concession companies and their subcontractors for assigned work.
Trucks operated by the organization “The Smile of the Child,” vehicles transporting racing cars, specialized service vehicles assisting racing cars, trucks transporting military equipment and vehicles transporting material under the responsibility of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission are also exempt.
The Hellenic Police said increased traffic measures will remain in effect across the country throughout the August 15 holiday period.
