Article 55

Traffic Control Measures

1. Measures may be taken to regulate traffic, such as the designation of one-way streets, bike lanes, and traffic directions; establishing right-of-way; altering the cross-section of the roadway or street; installing and operating traffic signals; the designation and operation of vehicle parking areas in public spaces, and, in general, the designation of parking areas and the imposition of traffic or parking restrictions or prohibitions. If the measures taken to implement this law affect public transit services, the consent of the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) or the Thessaloniki Transportation Authority (OSETH), for the area under their jurisdiction, or the competent regional authorities for KTEL bus routes, or the municipalities for urban bus routes, for other areas of the country.

It is permitted to identify a network of roads affected by the construction of ongoing or planned transportation projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, which are implemented as concession contracts or Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) or are funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the measures set forth herein regarding the aforementioned transportation projects being constructed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation and the specified road network affected by them, regardless of their classification, are determined by studies prepared or approved by the competent construction and traffic departments of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport or by an independent engineer within the framework of the concession contracts of theMinistry of Infrastructure and Transport.

By way of exception, the responsibility for the operation, maintenance, signage, road markings, cleaning, and street lighting of the road network affected by the construction of projects undertaken by that Ministry, which are implemented through concession contracts or public-private partnerships (PPPs) or are funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

If the implementation of the measures set forth herein affects public transit services, regarding the aforementioned transportation projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the affected road network, the required opinion of OASA or OSETH, for their respective areas of jurisdiction, or from the competent regional authorities for KTEL bus routes, or from the municipalities for urban bus routes, for other areas of the country, must be provided within five (5) days of the submission of the relevant application; otherwise, it is deemed to have been approved.

2. The measures referred to in paragraph 1 may be taken on a temporary basis both within and outside residential areas when required by specific security reasons or in emergency situations to address entirely temporary circumstances.

3. By decisions of the competent bodies referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, and following the same procedure, the following may be designated in residential areas: pedestrian-only zones, areas reserved exclusively for pedestrians or people with disabilities, or low-traffic zones. Where such decisions affect public transit services, the last sentence of paragraph 1 shall also apply. The studies on which the relevant decisions are based shall also include the operating regulations for the pedestrian zone. Where the operating regulations for the pedestrian zone provide for the coexistence of pedestrians, bicycles, and non-motorized vehicles, pedestrians have priority over bicycles and non-motorized vehicles. Under conditions of particularly heavy traffic, paragraph 3 of Article 44 shall apply.

4. a) Based on traffic studies, which have been prepared or approved jointly by the competent authorities of the relevant region or municipality and the agency or department responsible, as applicable, for public road mass transit services, designate roads or traffic lanes on which only public passenger transit vehicles, including rail vehicles, may operate, excluding areas under the jurisdiction of OASA and OSETH.

b) For the areas under the jurisdiction of OASA and OSETH, the designation of streets or traffic lanes reserved exclusively for public passenger transit vehicles, including rail-based vehicles, is based on studies prepared by OASA and OSETH regarding measures to give priority to public mass transit over other vehicles, as well as for the installation of special signage and any measure that will ensure the unimpeded flow of public transit vehicles and the safe and comfortable movement of passengers. The implementation of signage, as well as the installation and maintenance of traffic separation devices, fall under the jurisdiction of the agencies supervised by it, which are also responsible for the associated costs.

c) In the lanes referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b), public passenger vehicles (E.D.X.) are permitted to stop, provided that they do not obstruct the flow of public mass transit vehicles for a period not exceeding thirty (30) seconds, and solely for the purpose of boarding and alighting. Specifically, alighting is permitted at the rear of buses, provided that it does not obstruct the flow of traffic for buses and vehicles using the lanes referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b). Notwithstanding the time restriction in the second paragraph, taxis are permitted to make a brief stop at road recesses solely for boarding and alighting. Exempt from the application of the first two subparagraphs is the stopping of taxis for the boarding or alighting of persons with obvious severe mobility impairments or blindness, in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 16 of Law 4530/2018 (A’59).

(d) In the lanes referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b), loaded public-use passenger vehicles (E.D.X. EIDMISTH) specified in subparagraph b of paragraph 19 of Article 4, intended for the transportation of persons with disabilities, as well as loaded zero-emission public-use passenger vehicles (E.D.X.).

e) For the area under the jurisdiction of O.S.E.TH., the relevant expenses related to the construction and maintenance of public transit lanes for passenger transport shall be borne by the respective municipality, while the costs of installing and maintaining electronic monitoring systems are borne by the Operating Agency.

5. On roads where, for specific reasons, it is necessary to reduce vehicle speeds or restrict traffic, special road surface markings or the installation of movable barriers may be provided for. Anyone who violates the decision set forth in paragraph 16 of Article 112 shall be punished by imprisonment for up to twelve (12) months and a fine ranging from one thousand (1,000) to ten thousand (10,000) euros.

6. To alleviate traffic congestion and ensure the smooth and safe flow of traffic, in conjunction with the need to ensure better conditions for the operation of public road passenger transportation or for reasons of the general public interest, measures may be taken to restrict or prohibit the movement or parking of motor vehicles of any category or certain categories, as well as mopeds, in a specific area or areas of the country, or in cities or towns, or on a specific street or streets, or on a section of a street or streets. In areas where, pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the parking of vehicles and mopeds has been prohibited, in addition to the penalties provided for herein, the vehicle or moped may also be towed, in accordance with paragraph 9 of Article 38, concerning stopping and parking. The measures provided for herein apply to the area of the former Capital Administration. Violation of the decisions under paragraph 16 of Article 112 is punishable as follows: for parking, in accordance with Article 8; and for measures restricting or prohibiting traffic, it falls under Category E2-A. Furthermore, violators who fail to comply with police instructions to park at a specific location or to immediately leave a prohibited area shall be subject to imprisonment for up to one (1) year. Violation of decisions issued pursuant to subparagraph (g) of paragraph 16 of Article 111 is classified as Category E2-A.

7. The measures taken pursuant to this provision shall take effect upon the installation of the relevant traffic signs, traffic signals, or road markings, unless, during the period these measures are in effect, traffic is regulated by traffic officers or the measures have been taken pursuant to paragraph 6 and no corresponding traffic signs are provided for, in which case these measures take effect upon publication of the relevant decisions, pursuant to paragraph 1 of Article 112, or as of the date specified in those same decisions.

8. Restrictions may be imposed on the movement of trucks on the country’s road network, and their temporary movement to parking areas may be mandated. Specific delivery hours may be established for businesses, supermarkets, and other stores. Violators of paragraph 16 of Article 116 shall be punished in accordance with the specific provisions of Law 3446/2006 (A’ 49) concerning trucks. A violation of paragraph 16 of Article 112 is classified as Category E2-A.

9. It is prohibited to use the road network that runs parallel to and serves as an alternative to highways and expressways for motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding three and a half (3.5) metric tons. Exempt from the prohibition in the preceding paragraph are vehicles traveling for immediate or emergency purposes, roadside assistance, or due to force majeure. Violators of this provision and of paragraph 16 of Article 112 shall be punished in accordance with paragraphs 12 and 13 of Article 2 of Law 4388/2016 (A’ 93), concerning the Electronic Road Infrastructure Management System, the Road Toll Service, and Electronic Road Infrastructure Management.

10. A Road Information Center may be established, which is not funded by the state budget, and whose purpose is to provide information regarding traffic density, road obstructions and conditions, local weather conditions, and any other information useful for vehicle traffic, in accordance with subparagraph (i) of paragraph 16 of Article 112.