Article 33

Vehicle Traffic on Highways, Expressways, and Tunnels

1. On highways and expressways, which are identified by special traffic signs, as well as on entrance and exit ramps

On these roads, pedestrians, horseback riders, animals, bicycles, animal-drawn vehicles, and, in general, non-motorized vehicles, as well as motor vehicles that, due to their design or for any other reason, cannot reach a speed on a horizontal road greater than seventy (70) kilometers per hour, subject to more specific provisions.

2. On the streets listed above, the following are prohibited:

(a) Performing an on-site turn, that is, a 180-degree turn,

(b) the retreat and

3. If a vehicle is forced to come to a stop on the roadway due to a breakdown or other cause, the driver shall make every effort to move it off the roadway and, if unable to do so, shall immediately place the triangular warning sign specified in paragraph 16 of Article 85, concerning mechanisms, vehicle mechanisms, parts, and devices, at a distance of at least one hundred (100) meters behind the vehicle, or the special warning device in a suitable position, and at night, the parking lights must be turned on.

If a vehicle is towed off a highway or expressway due to a breakdown, it must exit at the first exit.

4. On highways or expressways with three (3) or more lanes of traffic in the same direction, drivers of trucks, with a maximum permissible weight exceeding three point five (3.5) metric tons, buses, or vehicle combinations (trains), with a length exceeding seven (7) meters, from using any lane other than the two (2) closest to the right edge of the roadway. The far-left lane is used by passenger vehicles or motorcycles as an overtaking lane and also becomes a traffic lane provided that the remaining lanes are experiencing traffic congestion.

5. Drivers entering a highway or expressway:

(a) If the entrance ramp does not continue into an acceleration lane, they must yield the right of way to vehicles already traveling on the highway or expressway.

(b) If there is an acceleration lane, they shall use it and, as they enter the highway or expressway, shall comply with Article 25, concerning rules for vehicle maneuvers.

6. A driver exiting a highway or expressway must move into the lane corresponding to the highway or expressway exit in a timely manner andenter the deceleration lane as soon as possible, if one is available.

7. Under no circumstances may access points to or from highways and expressways be created or used to serve properties along the roadside.

8. In tunnels indicated by special signs:

a) Drivers are prohibited from: aa) driving in reverse, ab) making a U-turn, that is, a 180-degree turn, (c) park in the designated widening areas, except in cases of emergency road incidents. (b) Drivers:

(ba) even if the tunnel is lit, they must turn on their turn signals or headlights; (bb) in the event of a prolonged stop, they must turn off their vehicle’s engine; (c) comply with electronic signage and the instructions given to them by tunnel control centers via loudspeaker or radio.

9. The emergency lane is intended exclusively for the use of emergency vehicles and maintenance vehicles belonging to the competent government agencies or to companies that, under a concession granted by the State, operate, maintain, and operate a highway or expressway under a concession granted by the State, for the purpose of responding to emergencies, incidents, or other needs. Any other use of emergency lanes, except as provided in paragraph 3, is prohibited.

10. Vehicles are prohibited from traveling on highways, expressways, tunnels, and bridges marked with special signs without paying the toll, when such payment is required. The owner and the driver of the vehicle are jointly and severally liable for the payment of the toll. If the vehicle belongs to a rental company and is leased, the lessee named in the lease agreement is considered liable. The violation is documented by the competent police officers who observe it in person or through technical or electronic means, in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 107, concerning the imposition of administrative fines by police officers.

11. A violation of paragraph 10 is classified as category E2-A. A violation of paragraph 9 is classified as category E2-A and category S. Violations of subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 2, the first sentence of paragraph 4, and subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 8 are classified in category E3-B. All other violations of this article, subject to paragraph 12, are classified in category E2-B. Violations of subparagraph (a) of paragraph 2 are classified in category E-4, and the offender is subject to an administrative fine of seven hundred (700) euros and an on-the-spot suspension of their driver’s license for sixty (60) days, if the noncompliance resulted in a traffic accident. If the driver causes a traffic accident, resulting in significant damage to public infrastructure or serious bodily injury or death or the deaths of a large number of people, the penalties set forth in subparagraphs (cc) and dd) of paragraph 1 of Article 290A of the Penal Code (Law 4619/2019, A’95) shall be imposed.

12. A violation of paragraph 7 is punishable by imprisonment for up to twelve (12) months or by a fine. The use of access created in violation of paragraph 7 constitutes an offense classified under category E2-A.