Mandatory equipment

The rules of the road, even in the EU countries, are still different. The same applies to the mandatory equipment of the car.

In the countries of the former Eastern Bloc, a fire extinguisher is still required to be carried, in the UK and Switzerland, an emergency triangle is enough, and in Croatia, two triangles are needed. Slovaks have the most requirements - in their country, a car should have a lot of accessories and half a pharmacy.

Drivers know little about the rules of mandatory vehicle equipment. Many of them do not even know what is required in Poland, let alone abroad. In Poland, the mandatory equipment is only an emergency stop sign and a fire extinguisher, which is mandatory (once a year). In Western Europe, no one will demand a fire extinguisher from us - as you know, these automobiles are so ineffective that only the legislator knows why we should carry them in Poland. Requirements for fire extinguishers similar to ours are valid in the Baltic countries, as well as, for example, in Ukraine.

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One of the much better ideas is to require the driver and passengers to wear reflective vests. The cost of acquiring them is low, and the meaning of this provision seems obvious, especially in countries with a dense network of highways. In the evening or at night, such vests have already saved the lives of many people. Since January of this year, Hungary has joined a growing list of countries to which you should bring them with you. Previously, such a requirement was introduced in Austria, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Italy and Slovakia.

There are countries (Switzerland, UK) where it is actually enough to have a warning triangle. There are also extreme opposites. The list of mandatory equipment in a car traveling in Slovakia will make many drivers confused. When going on vacation, for example, to the Slovak Tatras, do not forget to take spare fuses, bulbs and a wheel, a jack, wheel wrenches, a tow rope, a reflective vest, a warning triangle and a first aid kit with you. The content of the latter, however, has little to do with what we can buy at gas stations. It is better to immediately go to the pharmacy with an accurate list. We will need not only ordinary plasters, bandages, isothermal foil or rubber gloves. The specification also indicates the number of safety pins, the exact dimensions of the dressing plaster, elastic band or foil bandage. Unfortunately, this detailed list cannot be ignored because the Slovak police are ruthless in their execution.

Many countries (such as Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia) still require a complete set of replacement lamps. Makes sense, provided you can change the light bulb in our car yourself. Unfortunately, more and more car models require a service visit for this purpose.

Good to know

The first aid kit should contain latex gloves, a mask or tube with a filter for artificial respiration, a heat-insulating blanket, a fabric or cotton scarf, bandages and scissors. When stopping on a motorway, the warning triangle must be positioned approximately 100 m behind the vehicle; outside built-up areas from 30 to 50 m, and in built-up areas almost immediately behind the vehicle or on it at a height of no more

1 m. In conditions of very poor visibility (for example, fog, snowstorm), it is advisable to install a triangle at a greater distance from the car. The towline must be specially marked with red and white stripes or a yellow or red flag.

St. Applicant Maciej Bednik, Road Traffic Department

Compared to the rest of Europe, mandatory equipment in Poland is rather scarce - it's just a warning triangle and a fire extinguisher. Reflective vests make a career in the West. Only truck drivers carrying hazardous materials should carry them. Such vests cost only a few zlotys, and in the event of a breakdown, many drivers can save their lives. Despite the absence of such an obligation, it is worth carrying them in a car, of course, in the cabin, and not in the trunk. A first aid kit is only recommended in Poland, but every responsible driver should have one in their car.