New Greek Police Unit to Tackle Traffic Jams at 54 Athens Hotspots

A new Greek police unit called “Kombos” is preparing to deploy across Athens, where traffic authorities say drivers lose an average of 143 hours a year in congestion.

The unit will consist of 138 officers, 28 motorcycles and seven drone operators. It will use information from 235 cameras and 15 drones to respond to traffic jams and help free trapped drivers.

Officers will be able to regulate traffic directly, including bypassing traffic lights or speeding vehicles through areas affected by crashes. The unit will operate at 54 locations across the capital and surrounding areas, including Syngrou Avenue, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Panepistimiou, Alexandras and Kifisias avenues, as well as Ardittou.

Other designated points include Schistou-Aspropyrgos and Athens Avenue in western Attica, Venizelou Avenue, Vouliagmenis Avenue and several roads in Piraeus, along with Kifisias Avenue in the northern suburbs.

The traffic pressure is linked in part to an average of 62 crashes involving property damage each day. Official figures cited in the report say the average resident spends six full days a year stuck in traffic. Annual lost time has increased by 32 hours over the past two years, from 111 to 143 hours.