- The Greek government wants to ban fuel stations from selling gas to riders without helmets.
- If approved by the Greek parliament, the new amendment could become part of the traffic code.
- Those that will be caught selling gasoline to non-compliant motorcyclists will face hefty fines.
Riding a motorcycle comes with an undeniable thrill, but it also carries a significantly higher risk compared to driving a car. That’s why helmet laws are a staple in many countries worldwide. Yet, some riders still choose to ignore these rules, gambling not only with fines but, more critically, with their safety. In response to this ongoing issue, a Greek minister has proposed an unorthodox solution: banning gas stations from selling fuel to motorcyclists who aren’t wearing helmets.
The idea came from Greece’s Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, who also happens to be a motorcyclist. Georgiadis recently took center stage in a Greek television campaign promoting helmet use, but his efforts didn’t stop there. Hoping to make a bigger impact, he proposed an unusual approach to the local federation of fuel station owners: refusing service to helmetless riders, a group that, sadly, makes up the majority of motorcyclists in Greece.
Resistance at the Pumps
Not everyone is onboard with the proposed measure. Some fuel station owners argue that it unfairly puts the burden of enforcement on businesses rather than authorities. They also object to the potential fines for stations caught serving non-compliant riders. Despite the criticism, Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos has already drafted a special amendment for the Greek parliament.
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If approved by parliament, the proposed law would become part of Greece’s updated traffic code. This would mean motorcyclists riding without helmets could no longer legally purchase gasoline at fuel stations, essentially forcing them to either comply with the law or park their bikes for good—unless, of course, they opt to trade in their gas-powered ride for an electric scooter instead.
Speaking at a parliamentary committee, Theodorikakos addressed the cultural and psychological barriers to helmet use. “Motorcycle drivers are usually young people, in an age where they feel invulnerable,” he said. He urged lawmakers to support the initiative, emphasizing the government’s commitment to reducing preventable injuries and deaths.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that most countries enforce laws requiring motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear helmets. Greece is no exception on paper, but anyone who’s spent time in this sun-soaked Mediterranean country knows enforcement is spotty at best, particularly in urban areas. As a result, head injuries are a frequent outcome of traffic accidents, often leading to severe trauma, permanent disabilities, or even fatalities.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), helmet use is mandatory for all motorcyclists in roughly half of U.S. states. In most of the others, only younger riders are required to wear helmets. Meanwhile, three states, including Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire, stand out for having no helmet laws whatsoever.
