Changes in traffic rules - find out what to look for in 2011
New speed limits, the elimination of fake speed cameras, and increased powers for city guards and traffic police are just some of the changes we've made to the rules of the road in 2011.
We're going faster
First of all, good news for drivers. Effective December 31, 2010, the speed limits on motorways and dual carriageways have been increased by 10 km/h. After the first one, we can now drive a maximum of 140 km/h, and on expressways 120 km/h. Attention! The new rules apply to cars up to 3,5 tons and motorcycles.
See also: Changes to traffic rules and other rules in 2012. Management
Big Tickets
Firstly, drivers will pay more for transporting people incorrectly, for example, more people than indicated on the data sheet. According to the new rules, a police officer must issue a fine of PLN 100 for each illegally transported passenger. However, the amount of the fine cannot exceed PLN 500. Not much, but for now this offense is punishable by a fine of 100 to 300 zł.
The new law was adopted after a tragic incident that took place last November near Nove Miasto on the Pilica River. In a Volkswagen Transporter, 18 people were killed in a collision with a truck, although only three people were on the bus according to the regulations.
The new tariff also includes the provisions contained in the so-called. anti-smoking law prohibiting smoking in public places. Lack of information about the ban on smoking in public transport, for example, in a taxi, entails a fine of PLN 150.
Attack on speed cameras
The new law provides for the elimination of dummies of roadside speed cameras. Near the carriageway, only poles with speed measuring devices and adapted for their installation should be installed. Such places must be selected by the end of June.
In July, the automatic traffic control system, which will be administered by the Road Transport Inspectorate, should start operating. His employees will operate all speed cameras. This is done in order to improve and speed up the processing of photos of drivers who exceed the speed limit, and to speed up their receipt of fines.
Speed cameras will give drivers some headroom. We will not be fined if we exceed the speed limit of 10 km/h. However, this provision will come into force after the publication of the relevant resolution. Perhaps this year.
ITD alligator clips can do more
Since the new year, traffic inspectors, that is, popular crocodile clips, can also detain and punish drivers of cars and motorcycles (previously, for example, trucks, buses, taxis) who have grossly violated traffic rules.
See also: Changes to traffic rules and other rules in 2012. Management
Therefore, they have the right to track drivers with the help of radars and video recorders installed in unmarked police cars. They may also stop to check on drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, running a red light, driving around a vehicle stopped to let pedestrians, drivers making illegal overtaking, etc.
“The amount of the fine corresponds to the police tariff, of course, each mandate is associated with the imposition of penalty points,” explains Jan Ksienzek, road transport inspector of the Opole Voivodeship.
Also, crocodile clips have the right to identify the driver, check the technical condition of the car and the sobriety of the driver.
The city guards also have more powers.
Starting from the new year, the city guard can also control vehicles and their drivers on all roads in settlements, and outside this territory only on communal, district and regional roads.
With a fine on the estate, but ...
Since last year, new rules for internal roads have been in effect. It goes, among other things, o housing estates and parking lots in front of shopping centers. Until recently, police officers could not issue a ticket to a driver who, for example, exceeded the speed limit on such roads, drove without headlights or fastened seat belts. Law enforcement officers could intervene only when there was a threat to life or health, for example, in the event of an accident or impact.
Now this must change. Drivers will be punished for every violation. There is only one "but". In order for the police or city guard to intervene on an internal road, its administrator must designate a traffic zone there and install two signs: D-52 (a white rectangular sign with a car logo and the word “traffic zone”) and D-53. (the end of the traffic zone, i.e. the crossed out sign D-52). And here comes the problem. So far, there is no regulation that would sanction the new signs. We only know that it should be released this year.
See also: Changes to traffic rules and other rules in 2012. Management
Law enforcement officers can now punish drivers who park in places marked for the disabled, even on internal roads.
The September amendment gives drivers the right to penalize drivers for not obeying road signs on all roads, including domestic roads. Blocking seats for the disabled can cost PLN 500. In addition, you need to add the cost of towing the car to the police parking lot.
Driving license changes
Later this year, new categories of driving licenses for two-wheelers and ATVs should be introduced. It will also be more difficult to get them (the changes have already been signed by the president, the provisions will come into force after publication in the Bulletin of Laws).
Category AM> Designed for drivers of mopeds and light quadricycles (weight up to 350 kg, speed up to 45 km / h, engine capacity up to 50 cm3. This category is available from 14 years old. This category replaces the moped card.
Category A1> Allows you to ride motorcycles up to 125 cm3, up to 15 hp. and a specific power of not more than 0,13 hp / kg, as well as on tricycles with a power of up to 20 hp. This category of driver's license is available from the age of 16.
Category A2> Permits to drive motorcycles with engine power up to 47 hp. However, before that, he must be 18 years old.
Category A> The age of application for the largest motorcycles has been increased from 18 to 24 years.
Whip on the road of pirates
In accordance with the Law on Drivers of Vehicles, which President Bronisław Komorowski has just signed, for exceeding the limit of 24 penalty points, the driver will be sent to re-education courses. Until now, he had to retake the exam. If in the next five years he again exceeds the limit of 24 points, he will lose his driver's license (the rules will come into force after publication in the Bulletin of Laws).
Harder for new drivers
Drivers who obtain a category B driver's license for the first time will be subject to special supervision for two years. The probationary period is extended in case of violations of traffic rules by drivers under supervision. If two offenses are committed, the driver will be sent to re-education courses, and if three are committed, his driver's license will be withdrawn.
See also: Changes to traffic rules and other rules in 2012. Management
Retraining courses will be paid. They should cost 200 zł. In addition, the new driver will be required to complete a road safety and practical training course between the fourth and eighth month of obtaining a driver's license.
“It's a good idea,” says Jacek Zamorowski, head of the traffic department of the voivodeship police department in Opole. “Most of the accidents are due to young drivers, so additional safety training would not hurt.
This course will also be paid. How? That is still unknown. Regional traffic police are waiting for decisions on this matter. And it is not known whether they will be there this year.
But that is not all. During the trial period, until the end of the eighth month from the date of receipt of the document, drivers are not allowed to exceed the speed of 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside of it and 100 km/h on motorways. and expressway (the law will come into force after publication in the Journal Kit).
Stricter fines for drivers after drinking alcohol
The provisions of the Criminal Code have been tightened against those drivers who, while under the influence of alcohol or intoxication, cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Now the court will take away their driver's license for life. Previously, judges did not have to do this. The punishments for drunk drivers-recidivists have also been toughened. Now they face from 3 months to 5 years in prison. Before that, up to 2 years.
The new law is more liberal towards cyclists. Courts should no longer ban a cyclist caught driving while intoxicated. Now the judges have to decide whether to prohibit such a person only to ride a bicycle, or also deprive him of the right to drive a motor vehicle.
See also: Changes to traffic rules and other rules in 2012. Management
Slavomir Dragula
photo: archive
