CAUSES OF EXCESSIVE ASPHALT BLOODSHED IN GREECE
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By M. C. Geokas*, S. Papanicolaou**, C. Kidder*** and W .P. (Bill) Carlson****
Through our preliminary research on the issue of Traffic Safety in Greece, we have identified a host of specific, albeit correctable, contributory factors, which explain the excessive number of fatalities and injuries from Traffic accidents, as compared to many other countries in the EU. A summary of these causative factors, is as follows:
1. Aggressive Driving (Speeding, violating the right of way, red lights, stop signs
etc.) which is enhanced by societal changes, such as: large numbers of young nouveau rich,
politicization, clientelism, and radical interpretation of Democracy, that in turn breed
contempt for authority, and law enforcement, disregard for rules of the road, in
conjunction with, non-standardized training, for drivers (for Passenger cars, Commercial
Vehicles, and Motorcycles), lack of driver education programs in high schools and the
ineffective driver licensing and relicensing methods. Even young people in the army are
involved in fewer but more deadly accidents.
2. The almost complete disrespect for the rights of Pedestrians and the Handicapped, especially at, but not limited to intersections. This is partially related to lack of systematic public education programs, and inadequate or non-existent road markings and other necessities for both groups.
3. The increased alcohol consumption (highest consumption of whiskey in Europe) with
meager random alcohol screening, insufficient penalties for violators, and absent societal
outcry against DUI, as evidenced by lack of a MADD like, powerful organization. Many DUI
accidents occur after midnight in the Attica basin, due to speeding on roads almost empty
as compared to heavy day traffic.
4. Poor Trip Planning, with considerable sleep deficit among the young, plus physical and
mental tiredness from hectic city life, made worse by driving at night, after a big meal
and a few drinks.
5. Almost complete disregard for seat belts by drivers and passengers alike (including
some police officers and driving instructors), of child-safe seats and of Helmets by
motorcyclists (Newspapers show political leaders on motorcycles smiling with no helmets)
and the outrageous lack of standardized basic and advanced training, as a requirement for
licensing of motorcyclists. Young men love to do "souzes," riding on rear wheel
only.
6. Increased number of older and foreign drivers (among the 10 million tourists per year),
known to have higher accident rates. Aged drivers exhibit a reduction of physical and
cognitive abilities such as, night vision and reaction time. Older drivers tend to drive
more slowly creating greater speed variation and thus becoming the potential target for
aggressive drivers.
7. An ever increasing number of cars with powerful engines, and a changing vehicle mix to
include passenger cars, multiunit commercial vehicles and motorcycles. Mixing lightweight
passenger vehicles with large trucks has a negative effect on safety.
8. Inadequacy, of Law Enforcement, of Automated Traffic Safety rules, of Traffic
Management and lack of Educational campaigns for the Public on essentials of Traffic
Safety. The Driver Handbook (Kodikas Odikis Kykloforias) is unattractive and impractical,
with no intersection illustrations, and is written in stiff quasi-legal language.
9. An inadequate Road Network, including the secondary roads, in all facets, such as:
Safety Management, positive guidance, design consistency and specific design elements,
e.g. Design Speed, Horizontal and Vertical Alignments, Access Management, Pavements,
Roadsides, Trucks, Pedestrians and Bicyclists, Adverse Environmental Conditions, Traffic
Management, Transportation Systems Management, and Intelligent Transportation Systems.
Other inadequacies include, Freeway Requirements (Roadway Design Features, Special
features, Bridge Structures, Roadsides and Medians, Interchanges, and Ramps), and the
requirements for Rural Urban and Suburban Highways. Solid concrete dividers in troublesome
two lane Highways, are still a matter of contention.
10. Unacceptably high death rate(about 30%) among the seriously injured victims treated in
the nation's Hospitals, especially those in the provinces. Emergency pre-Hospital care
(including the timely response and quality of the Ambulance Service) and Trauma Center
care, all require strict review, leading to urgent upgrading and correction of
deficiencies.
11. Finally, three factors appear to be absolutely crucial on Traffic Safety in Greece:
First is the Aggressive Driver. Who are the Aggressive Drivers? What do we know
about them? "These are the high risk drivers who climb into the anonymity of an
automobile and take out their frustrations on anybody at any time. For them, the
frustration levels are high and the levels of concern for other motorists are low. They
run stop signs and red lights, (they) speed, tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, pass
on the right, make improper and unsafe lane changes, make hand and facial gestures,
scream, honk, and flash their lights. They drive at speeds far in excess of the norm
which makes them to follow too closely, change lanes frequently and abruptly without
notice (signals), pass on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the roadway, and leer at and
/or threaten verbally or through gestures, motorists who are thoughtless enough to be in
front of them." (Milwaukee P.D.).
Second, is the brisk urbanization, that has changed demographics, producing a population explosion within and around Athens, with resultant congestion, saturation and overuse of the road network, seriously aggravating the problem of Traffic Safety during peak hours.
Third issue, is the spectacular Paradox of Apathy, Resignation and lack of collective
mobilization of the people of Greece, despite unacceptable loss of life on Asphalt, during
long holiday weekends. We attribute this phenomenon to a weak Civil Society and to
universal strong focusing of Greek people, mainly, on the family, relatives and friends.
SUMMARY: Greek Society, has strong tribal characteristics, ( Expressed in Greek
America, as well, by the cornucopia of small Village and Town of origin Organizations, and
the periodic re-unions), with obsessive focusing on family and relatives and with
everything else, abandoned to the care of Government. There is no emphasis on personal and
group initiatives for the common good, and on civic responsibility, which explains the low
rate of voluntarism and the weak NGOs in Greece. In turn, Apathy and lack of
awareness and mobilization of the Greek people, on Traffic Safety, explain the lack of
decisive initiatives by the ruling Elite, for solving this monumental problem, with
periodic carnage in the ranks of Society, and remarkable hysterical scenes, at funerals of
loved ones, who died suddenly and unexpectedly in traffic accidents (which they believed
would never happen to them).
Many traffic accidents are preventable, but require strong political will, and lavish
expenditure of resources, plus the implementing of unpopular Draconian rules. Ingenious
and persistent measures are indispensable for controlling Aggressive and Drunk Driving,
and other aforementioned problems of Traffic Safety, as well as the upgrading and
maintenance of a defective road network. We strongly believe, that no significant
Traffic Safety improvement is possible in Greece, without the awakening, fervent
mobilization and commitment of the Greek People, who in turn will push with tornado force
and forcefully demand, the expenditure of energy and resources for improving Traffic
Safety, quickly and effectively. This is why an integral part of our recommendations
will be an ambitious and well structured multifaceted public awareness program, through
the Media and other avenues. Our Task-Force of Experts , now on track to go to
Greece for two weeks of study on Traffic Safety, represents an excellent opportunity for
the Greeks who can eventually begin a tedious and challenging pathway, for combating the
scourge of Asphalt Genocide, a source of great misery and obvious threat, to their
Demographically weak society.
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*/(Em) Professor of Medicine and Biological Chemistry, UC Davis School of Medicine,
President Traffic Safety Task-Force for Greece.
**/ Economist, Executive Boeing Corporation, Seattle, WA. Task-Force Program Manager.
***/ (Ret) Captain California Highway Patrol, Task-Force Vice-Chairman.
****/ Deputy Commissioner, CHP, Former Director Highway Patrol Academy, Task-Force
Chairman.
The Task-Force was organized by Demokritos Society of America, a Think-Tank devoted to issues of Hellenism.
10-25-2000
e-mail: geokas@ix.netcom.com
Website: www.demokritos.org
FAX: 001\925\946-1987