Greece’s unconventional way of tackling combat drunk-driving on weekends

Greece’s Transport Ministry is advancing a controversial plan to curb drunk driving by subsidising taxi fares over weekends, aiming to offer revellers a safer alternative to driving. However, the proposal has divided opinion both within the government and among the public.

The initiative, led by Junior Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis of the conservative New Democracy party, suggests lowering taxi fares on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights to deter intoxicated individuals from getting behind the wheel. According to an article by Euractiv, the state would reimburse taxi drivers for lost income, using funds collected from other traffic violation fines captured by traffic cameras.

The article points out how drunk driving remains a serious issue in Greece. In 2024 alone, 32,202 drivers were caught under the influence of alcohol. A separate bill introducing harsher penalties for DUI offences is also in development, but Kyranakis sees the taxi subsidy as a complementary measure.

Taxi drivers have expressed concern that lower fares during peak nightlife hours may lead to an influx of rowdy passengers. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis downplayed the proposal, stating it is still under consideration and insisting that “no one will be subsidised to drink.” He emphasized that Greek taxpayers shouldn't bear the cost.

Kyranakis defended the plan, arguing that alcohol-related accidents impose far higher costs on the public health system. “Isn’t someone who drives drunk and causes an accident more costly to the taxpayer?” he said.

He also proposed the use of in-vehicle breathalysers for repeat offenders — devices that prevent a car from starting if the driver fails an alcohol test — as part of a broader approach to reducing alcohol-fuelled road accidents.

By Nazrin Sadigova