Alcohol and Driving

Prevention and sanctions

In recent years, the state has raised particular consciousness in prevention and sanction for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. Road Traffic Authority controls, that is, breathalyzer tests, have significantly increased and are carried out more frequently every year.

The good thing is that the number of drivers arrested for alcohol consumption presents a downward trend. In the first six months of 2006, only 3.4% of the drivers tested by the Road Traffic Authority were found to have consumed alcohol over the legal limit.

The current legislation concerning driving under the influence of alcohol is Article 42 of L. 2696/1999 (Code of Road Traffic, as modified by article 43 of L. 2963/2001 and as modified by the joint Ministerial Decision that came into effect in June 2007.

According to this provision, "driving of all types of vehicles is prohibited by anyone under the influence of alcohol, toxic substances or drugs that might influence his/her ability to drive, as set out in the specifications of these products. A driver is considered to be under the influence of alcohol when the percentage of alcohol in his/her body is more than 0.50 grams per blood liter, measured by a blood-taking test or more than 0, 25 milligrams per liter of the exhaled air, when the test is conducted on the exhaled air by breathalyzer

What you should know:

The Road Traffic Authority has the right to ask you to undergo a breathalyzer test at all times. You do not have the right to refuse. However, you can ask to wait for of 15 minutes before taking the test. The device prints out the result and the person that went through the test is informed and signs an acknowledgement document.

The Road Traffic Authority will ask you to take the breathalyzer test. If you exceed the legal limit, you will go through blood tests. You also have the right to ask for a blood test in case you question the breathalyzer result.
When imposed by law prerequisites, you do not have the right to refuse the blood test because you will be accused for resistance.
You have the right to refuse the blood test only for medical reasons, which have to be certified to the police authorities by a medical doctor.