Prominent Greek figures, actress Dimitra Matsouka and tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, are currently facing issues with the law over separate, high-profile traffic violations that highlight Greece’s crackdown on dangerous driving.
Matsouka was arrested in the upscale suburb of Vouliagmeni for a string of offenses including excessive speeding and driving without proper documentation, while Tsitsipas’ luxury car was caught by a new smart camera on the Attiki Odos highway traveling at 210 km/h (130 mph), leading to an automatic digital fine issued via the gov.gr platform.
Actress Dimitra Matsouka arrested and charged for driving violations
Dimitra Matsouka will appear before the Misdemeanors Court on December 2 after she was arrested in Vouliagmeni for dangerous driving. According to traffic police data, the actress was driving at 97 km/h (60mph) on Athinas Street, far exceeding the 50 km/h limit (31 mph). The subsequent check revealed serious violations, including:
- No driving license: Her license had been revoked since October 10.
- No license plates: The vehicle’s license plates were seized by the Athens Traffic Police on November 16.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): A breathalyzer test showed readings of 0.42 mg/l and 0.38 mg/l, both above the legal limit of 0.25 mg/l.
The actress was detained and processed through the in flagrante delicto (caught in the act) procedure. The Primary Prosecutor’s Office has filed criminal charges against her for dangerous driving, operating a vehicle without license plates, and driving with a revoked license.
Her lawyer, Alexis Stefanakis, stated that his client is “very upset” and suggested that she is “doing a disservice to herself.” He added that the Greek justice system demands explanations, which they are prepared to give, describing the incident as an “unfortunate event” that did not result in an accident or injuries.
Tsitsipas’ Lotus caught speeding at 210 km/h
In a separate incident highlighting the new era of traffic enforcement, the luxury Lotus car belonging to tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas was recorded traveling at 210 km/h (130 mph) on the Attiki Odos highway on September 24.
Tsitsipas’ lawyer, Thanasis Papathanasiou, clarified to tennisnews.gr that Tsitsipas himself was in the passenger seat, while the car was being driven by a third party to whom the vehicle had been loaned. According to the lawyer, the fines and license surrender procedures “have all been handled.”
Tsitsipas was among the first citizens to receive a digital fine through the gov.gr platform. This comes as a result of new smart cameras installed on major thoroughfares, including Kifissias, Syngrou, and Vouliagmeni avenues, which automatically register violations. Fines are sent directly to the citizens’ digital inboxes, allowing for immediate notification and electronic payment.
New traffic laws in Greece focusing on road safety
These two cases come at a critical time, coinciding with the implementation of the new Greek Road Traffic Code (Law 5209/2025), which significantly stiffens penalties for offenses that threaten road safety.
The new code introduces much harsher sanctions for speeding, drunk driving, and driving without a license, aiming to reduce traffic accidents and improve driving culture.
Related: Greece Among Europe’s Top Five Most Dangerous Countries for Driving
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