Thousands of cameras to catch speeding drivers in Greece

In Greece, a new initiative launched by the Conservative government aims to tackle the rising number of road traffic fatalities and serious injuries. During a briefing on November 28, 2023, Michalis Chrysochoidis, Greece's Minister of Citizen Protection and Police, announced an ambitious plan to install 1,388 surveillance cameras across the country by 2026. This decision comes after data shows Greece holds one of the highest road death rates in Europe, with approximately 53 fatalities each month. The installation of cameras will commence in Attica, the region surrounding Athens, with a focus on the busiest roads. By 2025, 388 cameras will be operational in this region, primarily monitoring speeding and other traffic violations such as running red lights and improper parking. Greece's road safety performance has only marginally improved over the past decade, with a decrease in fatal road accidents by 22% and serious injuries by 35%. However, this progress has been deemed insufficient. A European Commission report highlights the country as one of the top five EU nations with the highest number of road fatalities in 2023, trailing behind Croatia, Latvia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Comparatively, Greece experiences 61 deaths per million inhabitants, much higher than the European average of 46. Furthermore, the statistics uncover that fatal accidents are increasing predominantly in urban areas, notably involving motorcyclists who frequently do not wear helmets. In response to this concerning trend, Chrysochoidis underscored the limitations of human resources in addressing all criminal behavior on the roads, thus advocating for the implementation of technology for 'intelligent policing.' The camera system, which will operate continuously, aims to collect data on various violations such as speeding and using mobile phones while driving. This information will be forwarded to law enforcement for verification, with offenders receiving immediate notifications via SMS if confirmed. The financial aspect of the plan is significant, particularly for Attica. It is estimated that this portion of the proposal will cost around €18.8 million, with part of the funding sourced from European Union support. The installation of these surveillance cameras is viewed as a necessary step towards achieving the government's goal of reducing road accident fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by the year 2030. As Greece grapples with its poor record on road safety, the success of this initiative will depend on public compliance and the effectiveness of the overall enforcement strategy.