A few of the Rules of the Road!

I promised that I would address the more serious side of driving in Greece – the rules and regs that you need to know beforehand - so here goes.

* Drivers must be 18

* Seat Belts must be used by front-seat passengers, although with Greece's high accident rate I would suggest that everybody in the car wears one

* Children under 10 are not allowed in the front seat at all

* Speed Limits: These are just a guide - always obey the posted limits, which may vary:

- Urban areas: 30 kmph-50 kmph

- Outside cities: 68 kmph-110 kmph

- Freeways/Expressways: 75 kmph-120 kmph

* EU citizens can use their own driver’s licences. Other nationals should have an International Drivers License, although in practice, a recognisable photo license is generally accepted

* Roadside Assistance: ELPA (the Automobile and Touring Club of Greece) offers coverage to members of AAA, CAA and other similar assistance services. Check with your home automobile assistance provider for information on using the ELPA shared services in Greece before your trip. ELPA numbers once in Greece are 104 and 154. For 24-hour information to foreign motorists regarding driving in Greece dial 174

* Driving your own car you will need a valid registration, proof of internationally valid insurance (check with your insurance company!) and your driver's licence

* Emergency Numbers: For visitors to Greece, dial 112 for multi-language help. Dial 100 for Police, 166 for Fires, and 199 for ambulance service. Operators will stay on the line in case the tourist requires translation assistance

* Mobile phone usage: It is now illegal to use a hand held mobile phone while driving. Violators can be stopped and issued with a fine

A few tips:

- Narrow winding roads in Greece can often mean that journey times are rather longer than might be expected from distances calculated from a map, so make allowances for this.

- Petrol stations in Greece are fairly plentiful except for some remote areas. They offer a variety of services to travellers but do bear in mind that the toilets are sometimes not great! They sell unleaded fuel and close around 7:00 PM on weekdays. Only very few are open after 10.00 pm. On Sundays and holidays you may have to drive a bit before you find an open garage. However, at least one petrol station must remain open in each area at night and on Sundays – ask a local if how have trouble finding one

- Although the speed limit is 120 Km/hour for the most part on the highways, many Greek drivers drive far faster than that. Indeed, if you abide by the speed limit you could find yourself the only car on the road doing so!

- When you access a highway do not expect other drivers to make way for merging traffic. Having said that, you might want to bear in mind the wise words of blog reader Dee, who has driven in Greece and comments that drivers entering a roundabout have priority and right of way, unlike in the UK.

- Alcohol tests are frequent and the limit is 0,50 mg. You will have to pay fines at the tax office in the area where the fine was issued so you will need to either pay immediately or make arrangements to pay by phone etc. Officials will pursue you to the UK to chase up unpaid fines – be warned!

- Greece, like every other country, suffers from theft. Car radios are sometimes stolen along with contents carelessly left in cars; make sure that you conceal things (or better still remove them altogether) and lock your car behind you.

All the best and take care.

Carol.

The Overseas Guides Company

http://www.greecebuyingguide.com/