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The Road Safety Institute (RSI) "Panos Mylonas" with the support of the Safer Roads Foundation (SRF) and in collaboration with the Municipality of Athens, implemented interventions at existing crossings along Athinas Street from its junction with Ermou Street in Monastiraki to Omonoia. As part of the interventions, the markings at a total of 18 pedestrians crossings in 10 junctions were replaced and 18 P-21 warning signs were installed in pedestrian crossings. To improve visibility for road users, the signs have a fluorescent frame around the perimeter. This intervention takes place in a central part of Athens with the aim of becoming a model and being applied in other areas of the country. Taking into account that the largest percentage of road crashes involving pedestrians occurs within a residential area (112 pedestrian deaths, 65.2% in a residential area, with 1/3 of fatalities occurring in Attica according to ELSTAT data for 2022), it is particularly important to make improvements to road infrastructure in urban areas in order to enhance Road Safety of the most vulnerable road users i.e. pedestrians.

Secure and well-designed infrastructure is one of the pillars of the Safe System Approach. Cooperation between RSI "Panos Mylonas", the Safer Roads Foundation and the Municipality of Athens contributes to pedestrian safety and highlights the value of preventive measures to create a safer environment for all road users.

At the moment throughout Greece many crossings are simply not visible and certainly this fact explains to a certain extent the large number of pedestrians involved in road crashes. High reflectivity markings at pedestrian crossings and corresponding markings on either side with pedestrian signs with increased visibility are low-cost interventions with spectacular results in warning drivers.

The RSI "Panos Mylonas" has been at the forefront of efforts to improve Road Safety in Greece for 20 years, implementing training programs, research projects and pilot initiatives within its vision for a world without road crashes.

Along with the interventions to enhance Road Safety on Athinas Street, the Institute, which is currently conducting research on the behavior of drivers and pedestrians in areas of the country, announced today its new campaign for the use of helmets "Always Wear a Helmet!" (Helmet Wear Everywhere), which will be implemented extensively in the next few days. A sample of the campaign has been placed in a shelter on Athinas Street and has already attracted the interest of citizens. We would like to express our sincere thanks to our partners The Newtons Laboratory and the Politis Group, for their support to the work of the Institute.

The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, noted:"Greece unfortunately is at the top of the countries with the most fatal traffic fatal crashes occuring in the urban road network. Pedestrian drifts have increased recently, according to ELSTAT. Today, we are proving that with low-cost interventions we can save lives. With the precious help of the Road Safety Institute(RSI)"Panos Mylonas" and the Safer Roads Foundation (SRF), whom I warmly thank, we adopt good European practices with high reflectivity markings at pedestrian crossings along with the corresponding signage on both sides and with pedestrian signs with increased visibility for early warning of drivers."

The Deputy Mayor of Infrastructure, Andreas Grammatikogiannis, underlined: "The Municipality shows particular interest in road safety, proceeding with interventions with the contribution of the "Panos Mylonas" Institute. In this context, interventions on Athinas Street are included to upgrade horizontal signage, in order to better guide drivers and protect pedestrians. In the near future, it is planned to further renew and improve road safety in the Municipality to ensure a safer environment for all citizens."

Michael Woodford, Executive Chairman, Safer Roads Foundation (SRF) said: "In Europe, visible pedestrian crossings are considered good practice. In Athens, it is common for pedestrian crossings not to be visible to drivers and seeing pedestrians trying to cross the road safely is scary. The installation of pedestrian crossing signs, P-21, of larger dimension, with the addition of a yellow-green fluorescent reflective tape around the perimeter, ultra-high reflectivity (type III) along the entire length of Athinas Street, from Monastiraki to Omonoia, will make it easier for drivers to perceive crossings, especially at night, significantly enhancing safety. With this action we set an example that can be implemented throughout the Municipality of Athens and is a reference point for its adoption throughout Greece. We hope that the revised Highway Code will include these fluorescent signs as a standard, as is already the case in many European countries. The Safer Roads Foundation (SRF) and the Road Safety Institute (RSI)" Panos Mylonas" we hope Athens to become one of the safest cities in Europe. It is a vibrant, beautiful metropolis, which I have been visiting for the last forty years and which I love especially and especially its people with their character and liveliness."

Mrs. Vasiliki Danelli-Mylona, President of the Board of Directors of the Road Safety Institute (RSI) "Panos Mylonas stated: "The initiative to enhance pedestrian safety on Athinas Street is the continuation of a series of actions and interventions that since its establishment  tthe Road Safety Institute (RSI) "Panos Mylonas"  has implemented  in areas of Attica, the O.N.R. of  Korinthos, Patras and Aigio, Crete and Evia, at no additional cost to be paid by the Greek State, with the implementation of  prjects that serve as model and good practices throughout Europe, always aiming at enhancing Road Safety and motivating stakeholders for adoption nationwide. This initiative, with the support of the Safer Roads Foundation, demonstrates the RSI  commitment RSI to contribute in practice to the improvement of infrastructure that can protect and serve society."

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