Skertsos Shows Results: First Six Years with Fewer Road Deaths

Minister of State Akis Skertsos highlighted in a recent post the major reduction in road accident fatalities in Greece over the past six years, i.e., under the New Democracy government.

As he stated:“There is no more unfair and tragic death than those caused by road accidents. They destroy families, steal life from young people and the elderly alike.”

Greece has seen remarkable improvement: fatalities dropped from over 2,000 per year in the early 2000s to approximately 600-650 in 2025, equivalent to 60-65 per million population.

Despite this progress, the country remains behind the European average, where deaths do not exceed 45 per million.

Key Figures

• 115 fewer deaths in the first nine months of 2025 compared to 2019
• 52 fewer deaths compared to 2023
• The six-year reduction reaches 27.5%, even as tourism has increased and more people are on the roads

Causes and Accident Profile

• Motorcyclists account for nearly 50% of fatal accidents
• Most deadly incidents occur at night, mainly on weekends, due to high speed and alcohol consumption
• High-risk areas include the Northern & Southern Aegean islands, the Ionian islands, and Central Greece

Skertsos’ Strategic Pillars

The multi-layered strategy includes:

• Improved road networks and infrastructure
• Sidewalks, bike lanes, and bus lanes
• Pedestrian-prioritized traffic lights
• Modern public transport systems
• Strict but realistic traffic code enforcement
• Cameras and digital fines for automatic violation recording
• Targeted police checks (especially at night for alcohol)
• School education programs & continuous awareness campaigns

All measures must be implemented simultaneously over several years to transform road culture in Greece.

Skertsos emphasizes:

• Greek road safety challenges are not insurmountable
• Time, careful study, coordinated policy, and political stability are required
• 2025 shows that the needle is finally moving downward, with more drivers showing responsibility on the roads

“The final assessment will be made at the end of the year, but we are already seeing positive results. Every one of us must act responsibly when driving.”