Immediate deprivation of the driver's license of drivers who drive under the influence of drugs, with excessive concentration of alcohol in the body and who far exceed the maximum speed limit, applies from today, January 31, 2020, announced the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Giannis Karousos.
Announcing the measures decided during the meeting of the Road Safety Council, which was chaired in the presence of the Minister of Justice George Savvidis, Mr. Karousos clarified that the Road Transport Department, after receiving information from the Police, will immediately deprive the driving license.
The Minister of Transport said that during the Session, very worrying facts were presented about driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and speeding, adding that the decision of the Council is to use the powers of the TOM.
He clarified that the Road Transport Department has this power and the instructions of him and the Minister of Justice are to show zero tolerance and the unconscious driver to be immediately deprived of his driver's license.
The Minister of Justice said that the new year started tragically, as before the end of January we mourn five dead on the asphalt, with most of the deaths concerning young people.
Mr. Savvidis stressed that it is a pity to lose lives on the asphalt due to the human factor and failure to comply and comply with the Road Traffic Code.
The Minister of Justice said that the seven bills and one regulation regarding the increase of the penalties for the violations of the Road Traffic Code are in an advanced stage of discussion in the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and expressed the hope that the legislations will be voted unanimously by B in February.
Mr. Savvidis explained that after the vote on the increase of the sentences is voted, an information campaign will be carried out, because as he stated the purpose is not to collect more the state, but to help reduce traffic violations and reduce unjust deaths.
The traffic has an increased presence on the streets that was felt by the citizens, said the Minister of Justice, adding that he asked the local authorities to strengthen the measures to combat illegal parking, which creates a lot of problems in cities and villages.
The Minister of Justice further stated that it was agreed to prepare a study by a two-member committee, in which all fatal traffic accidents will be analyzed, the causes will be identified and the report will be presented to the Council for further decisions.
Finally, he called on drivers to drive defensively and to adhere to the traffic code.
Responding to a question about the immediate revocation of the driver's license, he clarified that the Road Transport Department has the power, for dangerous driving, to suspend or cancel the driver's license and take some measures. He stressed that this power will be exercised much more strictly from today, after the relevant suggestion of the Police.
The Minister of Transport further explained that if a driver is found positive in a drug test then the driving license will be suspended immediately until the matter is forwarded to a medical council to be examined whether he is a repeat user or not. He went on to say that if someone runs too fast he will be considered dangerous, the Department of Road Transport has the power to suspend the driver's license and will suspend it.
The Minister of Transport referred to the case of a professional driver who was driving behind the wheel, adding that his driving license was canceled and he was asked to retake the exam in order to obtain a professional driving license.
We will become much stricter, with zero tolerance to send the right messages to everyone, added Mr. Karousos.
The Minister of Transport stated that the Council was presented with the developments in the process of promoting the bill for rental vehicles, which is posted for public consultation, and aims to combat the phenomenon of foreigners who illegally rent vehicles and leave unpaid. the message that road safety will be protected from impunity.
The body was also informed that the issue of photo-marking devices is before the Bidding Review Authority and that for the bill regulating the use of scooters, the positions of the Union of Municipalities are expected to further promote the processing of its text. The goal is to pass a law and implement it before the next tourist season, he added.
Source: KYPE