The issue of a complete ban on electric skates for minors and the introduction of a strict framework and restrictions on skates for young people and regulations for adult users, was mentioned by the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michael Chrysochoidis, in an interview with ErtNews television station, in the programme “Weekend from 5”, while he expressed the view that “pigs” on islands should also be abolished.
The Minister, apart from the serious issue of accidents with electric scooters, and road safety, especially on the islands during the summer season, referred to a number of issues that have been of recent concern to public opinion, particularly on safety at universities, electric scooters, the K.O.M.B.O.S. plan for traffic, and the fight against crime in settlements.
On electric scooters, the Minister reiterated his previous statements on a complete ban on their use by minors, as well as the introduction of a strict legal framework and restrictions for young people and regulations for adult users.
Among these are the mandatory installation of a “speed limiter”, a ban on highways and expressways, mandatory insurance, special signage, and vehicle safety certification. At the same time, municipalities will be asked to set a maximum number of skates per area in order to tackle the phenomenon of their uncontrolled spread.
On motorbikes and “pigs” on the islands, Chrysochoidis noted that special emphasis is placed on the use of helmets. No motorbike can be rented without one. The Greek Police will further strengthen controls during the summer period, with special traffic police teams moving from Athens to the islands.
Specifically on four-wheeled “pigs”, he said they are extremely dangerous and should be completely abolished because of the serious road accidents and human casualties that have been recorded, especially among foreign tourists.
On security at universities, in response to a question on the recent serious incidents, he said: “We don’t need police inside universities, we need security in universities.” This, he said, is ensured both through a collective sense of respect for university space and through modern technical means and controls.
On the same subject, he briefly mentioned:
– The recent incidents of violence that occurred on the occasion of student elections are not an everyday occurrence, however, such practices must be eliminated from universities once and for all.
– The implementation of controlled entry with identification is crucial, and studies are already being launched by the Ministry of Education.
– The National Technical University of Athens is now a modern and secure university campus, free of occupations and with surveillance systems that allow students and lecturers to work unhindered.
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– “We don’t need police in universities, we need security in universities.” This is ensured both through a collective sense of respect for university space and through modern technical means and controls.
– There are no longer occupations in any university in the country, nor the phenomena of lawlessness that characterised previous periods. Most institutions now have organised operations and controlled access.
On cooperation with the Rectorates, he noted that it is excellent, especially after the passage of the relevant legislative initiatives and the Government’s meetings with the Rectors. There is now a common understanding that the safety of students and teachers is a top priority for everyone.
About the K.O.M.B.O.S. plan and the traffic problem, Mr. Chrysochoidis said:
– The K.O.M.B.O.S. plan is already underway and is expected to be fully developed by the end of May. It is an operational traffic management plan with about 150 police officers, teams of two-wheelers, drones and modern, real-time data collection and processing systems.
– The aim is to speed up traffic and decongest key roads in Attica, including Kifissos, which is an extremely difficult issue due to the huge volume of vehicles.
For the phenomena of illegal parking
– The Traffic Police carry out extensive checks every day to tackle illegal parking, especially after peak hours. It is necessary to strengthen the participation of municipal police in the checks.
– There is a serious problem of lack of parking spaces, however, the phenomenon of drivers parking illegally and causing huge inconvenience to thousands of citizens is unacceptable.
For the increased delinquency in settlements
– There are serious issues of degradation and crime which cannot be tolerated.
– The Hellenic Police have for months now developed a special operational plan with an increased police presence in settlements, while daily operations are carried out to deal with electricity theft, drugs, weapons and other forms of crime.
– At the same time, recent legislative changes for repeat offenders of felonies are already helping to record the first results of crime reduction.
While speaking on this issue, the Minister stressed that the State will not back down. The aim is for these areas to operate in conditions of security and normality, like any other neighbourhood in the country.
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