At the end of November, a 17-year-old died in a motorcycle accident on the Greek island of Crete. The man was not wearing a helmet. A gas station owner in the surrounding community then announced that he would no longer sell gasoline to motorcyclists who did not wear helmets.
The idea hit the media – now the Ministry of Health, together with the gas station association, has launched the “No helmet, no fuel” initiative.
One in five people travels without a helmet
In Greece, the share of motorcyclists in traffic is 23 percent, which is second in the EU behind Italy (26 percent). According to the Hellenic Transport Association, one in five motorcyclists rides without a helmet. The share of motorcyclists among road fatalities is 38 percent, compared to the EU average of 18 percent. More than two-thirds of motorcyclists who had fatal accidents were not wearing helmets.
Young people are especially at risk
There are many reasons to leave your helmet at home: old habits, summer heat and, above all, a lack of control. “Hundreds of people die every year,” Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said in a TV ad encouraging people to wear helmets. Most fatalities are young people; According to the transport association, the risk for drivers aged 18 to 24 is ten times higher than for people of the same age who drive a car.
It remains to be seen whether gas station operators will participate in the ‘No Helmet, No Fuel’ campaign. They are not mandatory. But even if just a few people take the idea to heart and implement it, many road deaths could be avoided, according to the Greek media.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
