With open roadblocks, the Police calls on travelers to avoid mass returns

The state apparatus continues to play the “inconvenience” card against farmers, delaying -particularly during the Christmas period- the travel of thousands of holidaymakers, despite the fact that the roadblocks had been opened.

As happened a few days ago with the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.), which spoke of a “mistaken impression of a complete road closure” at Kastro in Boeotia, stressing that the measures it had taken were in fact aimed at preventing extremely dangerous situations, a similar statement has now been issued ahead of the return of New Year holidaymakers.

It is noted that most roadblocks across the country remain open to allow the movement of travellers, pending the decisions expected to be taken on Sunday regarding the next steps in the farmers’ mobilisations.

In its statement, EL.AS. says that “due to the agricultural mobilisations currently under way at various points across the country, targeted and temporary traffic measures continue to be implemented on the national road network, with the sole aim of ensuring road safety and protecting human life.”

According to the police, these measures are deemed “necessary for managing objectively dangerous traffic conditions and in no case constitute arbitrary road closures.”

In this context, and in view of the increased return of holidaymakers over the weekend, EL.AS. advises drivers “to plan their journeys in a way that avoids simultaneous mass returns, considering, where possible, the option of a gradual or time-shifted return.”

The announcement by the Hellenic Police:

“The Hellenic Police remind the public that, due to the agricultural mobilisations currently under way at various locations across the country, targeted and temporary traffic measures continue to be implemented on the national road network, with the sole aim of ensuring road safety and protecting human life.

It is pointed out that the traffic regulations applied by traffic police units are directly linked to the presence of agricultural tractors, fixed or moving obstacles, and pedestrians on the roadway, and are intended to prevent dangerous situations and serious road accidents. These measures are considered necessary for managing objectively hazardous traffic conditions and in no case constitute arbitrary road closures.

In view of the increased return of holidaymakers expected over the weekend, the Hellenic Police recommend that drivers plan their journeys in a way that avoids simultaneous mass returns, considering, where possible, the option of a gradual or time-shifted return.

At the same time, travellers are advised to stay informed about the traffic regulations in force, as well as the designated alternative routes applied on a case-by-case basis.

For more comprehensive and timely public information, the locations where traffic measures are in place due to agricultural mobilisations, along with the available alternative routes, are continuously updated and accessible via a dedicated banner on the official website of the Hellenic Police.

Drivers are further advised to take prevailing weather conditions into account when planning and during their journey, and to exercise increased caution, particularly on road sections with limited carriageway width or an increased presence of obstacles, adjusting their speed and driving behaviour to the conditions at hand.

The Hellenic Police will continue to take all necessary measures for as long as these exceptional conditions persist, with the sole objective of ensuring the safe movement of citizens and the protection of human life.”