Minister Chrisohoidis Sounds Alarm on Helmet Deaths and Red Light Violations in Greece

Athens, Greece – Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis, speaking on Protothema.gr, has issued a stark warning regarding the alarming rate of road fatalities among young people in Greece, primarily due to the lack of helmet use. 'For me, a very important issue is the helmet,' Chrisohoidis stated. 'I have images to show you, not publicly, of children, young people, 18-20 years old, who are on the ground, dead, without helmets, from falls and collisions.'The Minister also highlighted a pervasive issue of traffic law disregard, particularly concerning red lights. 'Do an experiment,' he urged. 'Stop when the light turns orange and finally red. You will see 10 cars pass every time on a red light.' He further commented on Greece's unique approach to traffic signals, noting, 'Greece is the only country where the orange light means accelerate to pass, not slow down to brake.' Chrisohoidis emphasized that this is not merely a police matter but reflects a broader societal perception. His statements underscore the urgent need for improved road safety awareness and stricter enforcement to prevent further tragic losses.