Volos: 72-Year-Old Drives Wrong Way on Highway to Light Candle

A 72-year-old man drove his motorcycle the wrong way on the Athens–Thessaloniki motorway near Volos, intending to reach a church to light a candle for a deceased relative. The incident occurred on 27 October 2024. Police from the Motorway Traffic Division of Magnesia spotted him driving against traffic—heading toward Thessaloniki in the Athens-bound lane—without a valid license. Suffering from dementia and depression, he had left his village near Elassona and taken his son’s motorcycle. Disoriented, he mistakenly entered the motorway in the wrong direction. His appeal against an initial 18-month suspended sentence was heard on 6 February 2026 at the Volos Misdemeanor Court. Though found guilty again of dangerous driving and disobedience, his sentence was reduced. He did not attend the hearing but was represented by defense counsel, who requested leniency due to his health condition—a request denied. However, the court acknowledged his previously unblemished record as a mitigating factor.