Snow chains

Bidding to boost road safety, the government plans to introduce changes to the highway code and impose stiffer penalties for certain violations.

Drivers planning to use the national highway northeast of Athens and south of the capital through the highlands of the Peloponnese were advised on Friday to stow snow chains in their trunks and keep themselves informed of conditions on the roads this weekend after meteorologists warned of heavy snowfall and icy conditions in a fresh cold snap.

Heavy snowfall in the mountains of the northern Peloponnese on Friday caused numerous problems on the rural road network.

On the Pounta-Kalavryta road, a tour bus carrying 34 passengers and a number of cars were forced to halt for several hours in heavy snowfall as they waited for conditions to clear and allow them to continue their journeys safely.

Drivers in mountainous parts of Halkidiki, northern Greece, were advised to use snow chains as temperatures dipped considerably Friday and snow had covered large parts of the region, authorities said.

BELGRADE - Drivers across Serbia are facing winter road conditions and warned to use the mandatory winter driving equipment, including snow chains in mountainous regions.