Driving in Greece - How Bad is it?

Greek drivers are often thought to be among theadults on a motorbike. There is very much an
worst in Europe, but what is it really like to drive“it will never happen to me” mentality, but
in Greece?the statistics show that unfortunately it does
Driving in Greece, what is it really like? Generallyhappen, every day. I always wear a seatbelt,
speaking, Greek drivers are not the best inwhether I am driving or I am in someone elses
Europe, but there are worse — they knowcar. It often raises a strange look from taxi
who they are!drivers, as though you are somehow questioning
I have been in driving in Greece for a while andtheir ability to drive.
have witnessed many examples of bad habits onA Few Road Tips
the road, which have shocked my rapidly- The first and most important one is to just be
departing British sensibilities. It is not uncommonalert. This will keep you safe on the road 99.99%
for drivers to hoot their horns at traffic lights,of the time. I realised recently that I am now no
even when they are still on red and to fly throughlonger just looking at the car in front of me when
red lights. There is a reason of sorts for theI drive, but I am also unconsciously looking
some of the occasions when the latter occurs.through his windshield at the car in front of him.
Traffic lights, even in the capital, are not remotelyYou will soon develop quicker reactions and a
controlled at different times of the day to allowsixth sense for when someone is going to do
for changes in traffic flow. Therefore in rush hour,something unorthodox. Driving back in the UK
for example, there can be dozens of cars waitingwould probably feel pretty dull now!
to go through a traffic light, which stays green for- Care needs to be taken on roundabouts,
only ten seconds or less. This results in stressedbecause it seems that the rule is the person who
out drivers sneaking through on red because theydrives most aggressively, regardless of whether
are tired of waiting. I have also been surprised onthey are already on the roundabout or entering it,
more than one occasion when going down ais the one who has priority.
one-way street, by someone coming at speed in- Unlike in the UK, when another driver flashes his
the opposite direction towards me. I have decidedheadlights at you, he is not letting you pass, he is
that if I ever dent the front of my car, the nextwarning you that he is coming and to stay out of
time I see someone driving the wrong way up athe way. The same goes for when someone
one-way street towards me I’ll headhonks their horn. If someone is letting you pass,
straight for them and let the other guy'sthey will usually wave you through with their hand.
insurance company cover it. Sounds good in- In built-up areas, go carefully through
theory at least.crossroads, because people do not always
The Greeks seem to have a disregard for theirrespect stop signs and may also have their view
own safety to a degree that I have not seen inof you blocked by cars parked right on the street
northern Europe — drivers and pedestrianscorner.
alike. For example, watch out for Greek grannies- In response to what I said earlier about red
walking down the middle of the road with theirtraffic lights, when the lights turn green do not
shopping. Ok, so the pavements in some placesmove off without checking that there are no
are so bad that you have to walk in the road, butlatecomers coming from another junction. When I
it is really necessary for pedestrians to go headfirst started driving here, I thought that people
to head with the traffic? Seatbelts are rarelyhad a slow reaction time when the lights turn
worn and children can often be seen jumping upgreen but now I just think they are being careful.
and down on the back seat, as though they wereWhy hurry?
playing in their rooms, or wedged between two