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by **Paphitis** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 5:41 pm

Driving south on a 2 lane "highway" just outside of Parga, I nearly had a head on with another car.

Now the roads are pretty bad in this area. This part of Greece is lush green and the vegetation is usually encroaching on the road in certain sections. The roads are also quite windy.

Anyway, I was stuck behind a blue ute with 3 people in the front and a gypsy girl at the back. She was eating and throwing her litter on the road. The vehicle was old and was traveling slow so I wanted to overtake and just poked into the opposite lane to take a look but another car had the same idea from the opposite direction.

It's not the first time either. Bloody scary and I am certain that if there was a collision, there would be fatalities all round.

I never like to push the envelope in bad road conditions and adapt my driving to the conditions I encounter and am often very cautious when overtaking.

I am just wondering why Greeks are placing such a cheap value on their own lives as well as other road users? They seem to not give a stuff.

Even bi mists wear no helmets and everyone is taking silly risks when overtaking on this roads and sometimes through double lines too! :shock:

Either very overconfident, or just don't give a damn but bloody dangerous drivers everywhere. More than anywhere else.

by **repulsewarrior** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 5:53 pm

...it was 20 years ago, my last visit to Greece. On the way to the ferry from the airport, in the taxi, i went to sleep. What else to do, if i woke up it was because i was alive, if i didn't...

by **Paphitis** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 6:07 pm

Yes the taxi drivers are pretty full on. Trying hard to make a buck I guess to put food on the table.

But who is going to put food on the table if they're dead?

by **Nikitas** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 7:39 pm

I have gotten used to most things here, but even after 40 years I can't get used to the way people drive.

Defensive driving etc is of little use.

And please avoid the Patras-Athens highway at all costs. Take the old road, it may be slower, but it is infinitely safer and you get to see all the sea side towns.

by **Linichka** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 10:11 pm

Glad you are okay, Paphitis.

Drivers in this area are often aggressive and scary.

by **Cap** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 10:26 pm

Glad you're ok Paphiti.

Road rules are anathema there as well I take it?
Conspiracy theory about Germans taking away motorists freedom, or maybe it's the Jews again?
Maybe road rules and regulations is an American plan to rob Greeks of their ancient right of conquering the open road or something innit, or whatever.
Glad you're still alive.

by **Paphitis** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 11:25 pm

Thank you all for the concern.

I am ok but as Nikitas said, I can't get use to their driving habits either. On 3 occasions I encountered a car in my lane which I considered too close for comfort. It's not something you encounter much in other countries, not even in Cyprus. Cyprus has better roads, so that might have a bit to do with it, but in Greece, you get the feeling you encounter so many drivers that just don't care and drive to the edge of the envelope.

But once you're on the Ethniki, you feel more at ease, but in a 2 lane road you are constantly worried about that vehicle which could suddenly appear around the bend in your lane.

The roads in Epirus are pretty bad. But I still feel more comfortable there than anywhere else. Great people nonetheless but I just wish they would drive a bit better and respect their own lives and the lives of other road users too.

Also, please don't litter. It's such a bueatiful country and it doesn't take much to hold onto your rubbish until you find a bin or get to your destination. If there is a place on this planet that is truly blessed by God, then Western Greece, Eptannisa and Epirus is really it.