First aid kit, vest, fire extinguisher. What do you need and what should you have in your car?
Depending on the country in which we drive, we are subject to different regulations regarding mandatory vehicle equipment. Some countries require a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, or reflective vest, while others do not.
Warning triangle and fire extinguisher are mandatory in Poland
In Poland, according to the Decree of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical condition of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment of 31 December 2002, every vehicle must be equipped with a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle with an approval mark. Lack of a fire extinguisher may result in a fine of PLN 20 to 500. A police officer can also issue a ticket if the fire extinguisher is not in an easily accessible place, so it should not be kept in the trunk. Interestingly, we will not receive a mandate if its usefulness for use has expired. However, fire extinguishers should be checked at least once a year. The content of the fire extinguishing agent must be at least 1 kilogram. The absence of a fire extinguisher can also contribute to the negative result of the technical inspection of the vehicle.
Each car must also have an emergency stop sign - the main thing is that it has a valid permit. “According to the current tariff, there is a fine of PLN 150 for non-signaling or incorrect signaling of a stopped vehicle due to damage or an accident,” says Agnieszka Kazmierczak, a representative of the system operator Yanosik. – In case of incorrect stop signage on a motorway or expressway – PLN 300. The towed vehicle must also be marked with a triangle - in the absence of this marking, the driver will receive a fine of PLN 150.
Do you need a car first aid kit?
In Poland, it is not necessary to have a first aid kit in the car, but it can come in handy. Moreover, first aid in our country is mandatory. For the safety of others and your own, it is worth having it in the car.
It is worth investing in a first aid kit that will be stocked with: bandages, gas packs, plasters with and without a bandage, tourniquet, disinfectant, mouthpiece for artificial respiration, protective gloves, triangular scarf, heat-insulating blanket, scissors, safety pins, as well as instructions for first aid help. It is worth noting that while the average driver is not required to take a first aid kit with him, it is mandatory for those who transport people - so it should be in taxis, and on buses, and even in cars owned by driving schools.
What else can come in handy?
A useful piece of equipment would certainly be a reflective vest, which takes up little space and can be useful in the event of an accident or the need to make minor repairs on the road, such as changing a wheel. So it's also good to have tools at hand that will allow us to do this ourselves.
Among the additional items of equipment, it is also worth mentioning the towing cable. On the road, we can also take the help of other drivers who can warn us, for example, about traffic jams or a place where it is easy to get a ticket. Some drivers use CB radio or its mobile alternative to smartphones. Also, do not forget to have an extra set of bulbs in the car. This is not mandatory equipment, but driving without the necessary headlights can result in a fine of PLN 100 to PLN 300, so it is good to have spare lamps in stock.
See also:
– By car within Europe – speed limits and compulsory equipment in selected countries
- First aid in case of an accident - how to provide it? Guide
– CB radio in a cage – an overview of driver applications for phones and smartphones
