The Ministry of Infrastructure & Transportation clarified regulations of the new Traffic Code, including “inaccurate reports that circulate, purporting to impose fines on drivers for daily habits.”
The ministry responded to fake news circulating on social media over the weekend claiming that wearing a thick overcoat, drinking coffee or water while driving will be fined as would placing shopping bags in the car’s backseat – this circulated two weeks ago.
According to the Ministry statement:
– No part of the new Code mentions that fines will be imposed for wearing a thick overcoat. There is no such ban.
– No part of the new Code bans the use of special coffee or water holders. Nor is the consumption of water or coffee in the car prohibited while driving.
– No part of the new Code mentions that placing shopping bags on car seats is prohibited.
Instead, the ministry said, the only related regulation (Articl 18, paragraph 2) notes that the driver must have complete freedom of movement for safe driving. The regulation about the driver’s free movement, in particular, was included in the previous Code (published in 1999), and related officials did not misinterpret it.
In terms of shopping bags, the only thing foreseen in the new Code (Article 36, paragraph 4) is that a load must be placed safely so that it does not obstruct driving or visibility, and does not endanger passengers or third parties. Whenever possible, it is suggested that the boot of the car be used instead.
None of the above actions – wearing thick coats, drinking water/coffee while driving, placing shopping bags on seats – incurs a fine, as long as the basic rules of safe driving are not violated, the ministry concluded.
PS and yet, I recall a video created by Traffic Police and released in September 2024 that was threatening drivers with a 100-euro fine if their hands were not a wheel but around a cup of coffee.
In this surreal country where everyone rules according to his liking, no wonder that Greeks end up disrespecting any law whatsoever.
