Renting a car is a safe and convenient way to enjoy your holidays while visiting a new place. But, at the same time, it can also develop lots of problems for you, especially when you are aware of the driving rules applicable in the country. Driving a rented car in Greece is not an exception than driving a car in other countries, but the problem with Greek people is that they do not follow the normal traffic rules determined for driving on the Greek roads, and therefore the same can create lots of troubles including hefty penalties from the traffic authorities for breaking the rules.
Well before you rent a car in Greece, below are some simple rules to follow for avoiding any trouble while driving a rented car on Greek roads.
- Always consider yourself as the only experienced and skilled driver on the road who has successfully passed the road test. Always assume that none of the drivers know proper driving and you have to protect yourself from being hit by them. In short, you have to drive defensively rather than driving rough, like them.
- Take your decision at the earliest before reaching the traffic light. If you have decided to stay on the traffic light as soon as you notice the orange light turned on, make sure that the driver behind you has also slowed his speed and not trying to follow the speed of your car. If he is following you, then there are chances that he will hit your car, because normally Greek people do not like to stay on the traffic light. This, however, doesn’t mean that you should speed-up your car and cross the lights. Keep a strict eye on the functioning of the traffic lights and control your speed accordingly.
- There are traffic lanes for different vehicles but due to lack of maintenance, they have almost disappeared or blurred from most of the roads. To avoid any issue it is recommended to drive at a moderate speed keeping an eye on the road, especially while driving in the night. You will find double lines drawn in the center of the road. These lines are an indication that nobody should cross over them, but unfortunately, the Greeks consider these lines as a challenge and try to cross them by breaking the traffic laws. Anyhow, as you the visitor, do not dare to cross these lines and follow the rules accordingly.
- The bike riders on the Greek roads do not follow any of the traffic rules whether it is riding in their lane or riding at a decent speed. Most of the bike riders are often drunk and do not follow the rules at any cost.
- You will also find the people opening the gates of their vehicles suddenly while their vehicle is parked on the roadside. Therefore be cautious while driving and try to avoid driving closer to vehicles parked on the roads.
- There are road signs indicated on different roads, all of them are either in Greek or in English, but it is not sure that you will always find them.
- Do not forget to wear a seatbelt while driving. If you are traveling with your kids, then ask for the child seat from the car renting agency. The youth below the age of 18 years are not allowed to drive in Greece, whereas the children below the age of ten years should seat on the rear seat.
- The speed limit on the highways is between 100 to 120 kmph while in the residential areas it is 50 kmph. Most of the traffic signs on the roads are pictures and therefore self-explanatory.
- Renting a car in Greece is as easier as in other countries and therefore to visit Paxos Island in the Ionian Sea of Greece you can rent a car from any of the car rental services providers in Paxos Island and enjoy your holidays. Here one thing that needs to be mentioned more importantly is that if plan to take a rented car on a ferry then it is not permissible and you might be punished with a heavy fine and even prison for the same.
- Try to pay cash for gas on the stations, as most of the stations do not accept the credit cards.
Following these simple rules, you can drive and survive successfully on the Greek roads.