On January 21, 2021, the Sejm passed an amendment to the Road Traffic Law. The amendment aims to improve road safety. The justification for the amendment cited research on pedestrian-driver relations, which showed that 64% of pedestrians in large cities and 81% of pedestrians in small towns stated that their greatest safety problem was drivers failing to stop for pedestrians to safely cross the road. Research showed that vehicles travel at high speeds near pedestrian crossings and often exceed the speed limit for the area.
Pedestrians have priority and it is forbidden to use phones on pedestrian crossings.
The amendment establishes priority for pedestrians on pedestrian crossings. According to the provision, " A driver approaching a pedestrian crossing is obligated to exercise particular caution, reduce speed so as not to endanger a pedestrian on or entering the crossing, and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on or entering the crossing ."
The amendment to the regulations includes a provision according to which when entering or crossing the road or tracks, including on pedestrian crossings, pedestrians will not be allowed to use a telephone or other electronic device that may distract them.
No more bumper-to-bumper riding.
The changes also introduce a minimum distance between vehicles, which must be no less than half the vehicle's speed. In practice, this means that a vehicle traveling at 100 km/h must maintain a distance of 50 meters behind the vehicle in front. An exception will be made for overtaking maneuvers.
The regulation applies to highways and expressways.
Lower vehicle speeds in built-up areas during night hours.
Currently, the exception to the 50km/h speed limit in built-up areas is the period between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., when the speed limit is 60 km/h. After the changes, the speed limit for vehicles in built-up areas will be 50 km/h – regardless of the time.
The amendment to the Road Traffic Law comes into force on June 1, 2021.
