- Driving in the emergency lane is prohibited for all vehicles. It is intended only for use by emergency vehicles, namely National First Aid Center ambulances, the Fire Brigade and the Traffic Police.
- Stopping in the emergency lane is only permitted in case of absolute emergency.
Generally, it is important that you are aware that driving and stopping in the emergency lane is dangerous for you and your vehicle.
Remember! One out of ten collisions is caused by vehicles stopped in the emergency lane!
When should you stop in the emergency lane?
Only in the 3 cases below:
- If your vehicle has broken down;
- In case of emergency;
- If you are stopped by the Traffic Police.
If your car breaks down
- As soon as you realize that your car has a problem, leave the motorway using the nearest exit and, after stopping safely, call roadside assistance.
- If you have to stop right away, move into the emergency lane and stop the vehicle with the wheels turned to the right and switch the alarm lights on.
- Park your vehicle to the right of the emergency lane, as far as you can, and as close as possible to an emergency telephone.
- Do not stay inside your car. Get out using the door of the front-seat passenger, climb over the guard-rail and stand behind it.
- Never attempt to repair the damage yourself.
Calling for help
- Use either your mobile phone to call the motorway assistance service (by dialing 1866 in the case of Attica Tollway) or the closest emergency telephone.
- State your location clearly (if you are on Attica Tollway, look for the small green sign at the side of the road and report the number on it, so that you can be promptly located).
Waiting for help to come
- Make sure that all passengers of the stationary vehicle get out and wait behind the guard-rail. If any person (e.g. an elderly person) cannot get out of the vehicle, they should wait in the car with their seatbelt fastened.
- Pets must wait inside the vehicle.
Emergency
If you have been involved in a collision, if possible move your vehicle to the emergency lane and follow the directions above to call for help.
If you are stopped by the Traffic Police
Make sure that you switch on the indicator and alarm lights of your vehicle switched on, pull over and stop at the point indicated.
When not to stop on the emergency lane
- Apart from the three cases cited above, never stop on the emergency lane e.g. to consult a road map, to see the view, to talk on the phone etc.
- Never walk along the emergency lane.
- Also, never stop to help another vehicle already immobilized in the emergency lane. Let the professionals intervene.
Who is allowed to drive in the emergency lane?
No vehicle, apart from emergency service vehicles, is allowed to travel in the emergency lane! Unfortunately, traffic rule violations concerning the use of the emergency lane have been committed on Attica Tollway, involving serious obstruction to the movement of the emergency service vehicles.
DO NOT FORGET
When you use the emergency lane to stop without good reason or by illegally driving on it, you obstruct the passage of emergency service vehicles, and by doing so you may hinder the rescue of fellow drivers and passengers! You or your loved ones could be in their shoes…