Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe, but they are not the worst ? those people know who they are!
I have been in driving in Greece for a while now and have witnessed many examples of bad habits on the road, which have shocked my rapidly departing British sensibilities. It is not uncommon for drivers to hoot their horns at traffic lights, even when they are still on red and to fly through red lights. There is a reason of sorts for some of the occasions when the latter occurs. Traffic lights, even in the capital, are not remotely controlled at different times of the day to allow for changes in traffic flow. Therefore in rush hour, for example, there can be dozens of cars waiting to go through a traffic light, which stays green for only ten seconds or less. This results in stressed out drivers sneaking through on red because they are tired of waiting. I have also been surprised on more than one occasion when going down a one-way street, by someone coming at speed in the opposite direction towards me. I have decided that if I ever dent the front of my car, I'll head straight for the next car heading at me the wrong way up a one-way street and let the other guy's insurance company cover it. Sounds good in theory at least.
The Greeks seem to have a blatant disregard for their own safety ? drivers and pedestrians alike (watch out for Greek grannies walking down the middle of the road with their shopping). Seatbelts are rarely worn and children can often be seen jumping up and down on the back seat, as though they were playing in their rooms, or wedged between two adults on a motorbike. There is very much a "it will never happen to me" mentality, but the statistics show that unfortunately it does happen. I always wear a seatbelt, whether I am driving or I am in someone elses car. It often raises a strange look from Greek taxi drivers, as though you are somehow questioning their ability to drive.
A Few Tips
Now for some tips. The first and most important one is to just be alert. This will keep you safe on Greek roads 99.99% of the time. I realised recently that I am now no longer just looking at the car in front of me, but I am also unconsciously looking through his windshield at the car in front of him. You will soon develop quicker reactions and a sixth sense for when someone is going to do something unorthodox. Driving in the UK would probably feel positively dull now! Care needs to be taken on roundabouts, because it often seems that the rule is the person who drives most aggressively, regardless of whether they are on the roundabout or entering it, is the one who has priority.
Unlike in the UK, when another driver flashes his headlights at you, he is not letting you pass ? the opposite is true - he is warning you that he is coming. In built-up areas, go carefully through crossroads, because people do not always respect stop signs and may also have their view of you blocked by cars parked right on the street corner. In response to what I said earlier about red traffic lights, when the lights turn green do not move off without checking that there are no stragglers coming from another junction. When I first arrived in Athens, I thought that the drivers had a slow reaction time when the light turns green lights but now I think, as with driving anywhere, it is safer to take your time.
About the author: Emmanuel Mendonca is the webmaster of Greece Travel Articles - a source of interesting articles and information about visiting, living and working in Greece.
Why ultralight backpacks? Devotees of ultralight backpacking know you reduce... Read More
Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next... Read More
There is something about a town tucked between the mountains... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More
My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack... Read More
Simply sitting and watching birds is a popular hobby around... Read More
The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite... Read More
Bird Watching is a great way to escape the rat... Read More
Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was... Read More
The owner can attempt small inflatable boat repair if factory-gluing... Read More
Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a... Read More
Base camp sits at 12,000 feet - stark, windy, unshaded... Read More
The dictionary defines a tent as 'a portable shelter usually... Read More
White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More
One afternoon during a trip across the country in our... Read More
Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of... Read More
On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula,... Read More
An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More
Climbing the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in... Read More
Western Australia ? South-West Coast driving holiday. Great Australian Road... Read More
The Cairns Fishing Adventure A Great Australia Road TripYou love... Read More
The key to getting a good bargin, instead of a... Read More
Okay, it wasn't quite a sleeping bag. However, it was... Read More
Of course you know about Southern California's premier attraction, Disneyland... Read More
The great state of Washington offers some of the best... Read More
One morning in mid summer, I headed out for some... Read More
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
A Botswana safari is an excellent trip to undertake because... Read More
A camping gear checklist is an important tool to help... Read More
(NC)-With approximately 42,000 mosquitoes for every person in Ontario, most... Read More
Mystic Seaport celebrates the seafaring past of New England. Known... Read More
WHAT TO HUNT AND WHERE: Alaska is a hunter's paradise.... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
For the 92nd time, the Tour de France has started.... Read More
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
Maybe your favorite backpacking food is a freeze-dried turkey dinner.... Read More
So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many... Read More
Santa Cruz Church, the church of the holy cross, was... Read More
Visitors to Hawaii frequently see dolphins from shore or on... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
Outdoors |