At a time when the bad weather is just around the corner for Attica and other regions of the country, car drivers are looking for a solution for their movements and fear a possible repetition of the events of 2022 that trapped Attiki Odos.
No one can forget that hundreds of vehicles remain stuck on the main road of the basin and citizens are looking for a solution to protect themselves from the polar cold, with no one in charge showing up to offer help.
Thus, more and more drivers prepare as best they can for the impending snow and put the anti-skid chains in the trunk of their car, as they will now have to have them with them when relevant decisions are issued by the competent authorities (Police Departments, Traffic Departments , General Secretariat of Civil Protection).
When are chains mandatory?
By law, cars must be equipped with snow chains from October to April.
According to Official Gazette 1144 B' 14.03.2022, the supply of anti-skid chains or similar anti-skid means suitable for the vehicle is mandatory in the period from October to April of each year and when the prevailing conditions require it.
The driver should be able to know their correct placement and take care of their maintenance in good and functional condition
Violators of the above decision are punished with an administrative fine of €80 in accordance with the Road Traffic Code (para 26 & 27 of article 81).
Based on the relevant Decision of the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for Transport, car owners of all categories are required to equip their vehicles with anti-skid chains, or other similar anti-skid means, such as snow tires and snow tires (bearing the special marking of the “alpine” symbol with the indication M+S).
Adherence to the above anti-slip means becomes mandatory only when and if decisions are issued by the competent authorities (Police Departments, Traffic Departments, General Secretariat of Civil Protection), in accordance with article 52 of the Road Traffic Code, which provides that the prevailing weather conditions impose the drivers to ensure that the vehicles they drive are equipped with suitable anti-slip means.
Therefore, when the climatic conditions do not require it and since no relevant decisions have been issued by the above competent authorities, drivers do not have the obligation to carry the anti-skid means in their vehicles.
What about rental vehicles?
Also, with a ministerial decision, the issue of the mandatory provision of anti-slip means in the case of rental cars was also regulated.
Specifically, it is stipulated that in the case of car rental, if the lessee requests the supply of anti-slip means and his request is stated in the rental contract, the lessor company is obliged to provide the appropriate equipment.
Otherwise, and as long as it is not requested, this obligation does not exist.