Since the activation of the photo-signaling system, nearly 20,000 drivers have been reported for violating the red light.
Approximately 70% of them were moving straight, and the rest were reported for turning right against the arrow, as well as violations of the stop line after a red light and pedestrian crosswalk.
According to information from Phileleftheros, these data were compiled by the Traffic Police and forwarded to the Ministry of Justice to be presented at the Road Safety Council meeting next Monday, with the participation of Transport Minister Alexis Vafeiadis.
As Minister Alexis Vafeades stated to Phileleftheros during the meeting with Public Works, there will be discussions about arrows that allow drivers to turn right and whether there can be measures to prevent traffic collisions for this reason.
Vafeades noted that many fatal accidents are caused by right turns, hence the need to discuss ways to reduce this risk.
Regarding the parliamentary debate on reducing the €300 fine for running a red light, he mentioned that there is a proposed law on this matter.
“The discussion is ongoing at the Road Safety Council. I believe running a red light is a significant risk for everyone. It’s a serious offense for which the fine should not be changed.”
He clarified that the discussion revolves around intermediate violations (stop line and pedestrian crosswalk), and a decision has not been made yet.
Meanwhile, immediate adjustments to the traffic lights at the intersection where four lives were lost on New Year’s Day may be implemented by Public Works until more permanent measures are decided.
Information from Phileleftheros suggests that one solution being considered is to configure the lights at the intersection of Giannis Kranidiotis and Agia Anastasia streets, where the fatal accident occurred, to operate in one direction, similar to most traffic lights on major roads.
The aim is for drivers to pass in one direction only when the light turns green, avoiding those coming from the opposite direction.
If these lights were configured in this way, the accident might have been avoided, and four lives might not have been lost.
It’s worth noting that this configuration has been successfully implemented by Public Works in recent years at many intersections controlled by traffic lights, nearly eliminating accidents.
This proposal is expected to be discussed at the meeting next Monday between Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades and Public Works technocrats.
As Vafeades mentioned to Phileleftheros yesterday, the specific intersection where the quadruple fatal accident occurred is an immediate priority, and immediate measures must be taken to prevent further loss of lives.
If changes that take time, such as building a roundabout, are decided upon, then alternative immediate solutions will be found, he added. One consideration is the construction of speed bumps near the intersection to reduce driver speeds.
