Greek Transport Ministry Gives Tips for Safe Winter Driving

The Greek Transport Ministry on Monday released a video with road safety advice and tips for driving in the winter, aiming to protect drivers and passengers from snowy and icy roads, following the bad weather warning issued over the weekend. The bad weather that is to affect Greece for the next few days has been given the name ‘Avgi’.

According to the ministry, the emergency weather forecast, which refers to a further drop in temperatures as well as winds, snow and local heavy rainfall in the southern parts of Greece, increases the need for additional instructions for road safety.

The weather has been predicted to be extremely bad for the northern regions of Greece and snowfall is expected in Thessaly, Eastern Greece, Attiki, Evia, Crete and parts of the Peloponnese.

Particularly, on days with snow, frost or low temperatures, the ministry has issued the following guidelines for road safety:

– An additional traction system (tire chains and snow blankets) should be placed to avoid slipping on road surfaces with frost

– Avoid stopping – after slipping – to put on tire chains (to avoid obstructing traffic).

– Tire chains belong on the tires of the drive axle – on four-wheel drive vehicles, tire chains should be installed on the front tires for better steering

– It is more safe to drive a two-wheel drive vehicle with winter tires on snowy surfaces than a four-wheel drive car with summer tires

– The use of winter tires is needed for temperatures lower than 7ο degrees Celsius

– Summer tires do not offer traction and good braking performance on slippery (due to snow or frost) road surfaces

– Avoid driving at night or at dawn due to frost on road surfaces

– Αssess situations and react calmly when steering, stepping on the brakes or accelerating

– Avoid driving in bad weather without the necessary experience

– Avoid hitting the brakes or accelerating on frozen road surfaces

– Clear curb ramps and the car from fresh snow

Detailed instructions are available in the video below (in Greek):