A comparative analysis of selected polish road traffic regulations in relation to the Vienna Convention and safety principles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24136/tren.2026.004Keywords:
Road Traffic Law, Vienna Convention, left turn, green arrow signal, cycle path intersecting the carriagewayAbstract
In this article, the authors undertake to demonstrate the differences for three selected road scenarios, which are described by citing the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Law and the Vienna Convention, i.e., the Convention on Road Traffic and the Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The difference is shown for three situations: entering an intersection on a green arrow signal at a traffic light S2, making a left turn, and yielding to a vehicle traveling straight on a road that the turning vehicle is leaving. An analysis of conformity was conducted, and a flaw in Polish solutions was shown, particularly with regard to foreigners driving on Polish roads.
References
The Road Traffic Law, Act of June 20, 1997, with later amendments. Journal of Laws 1997 No. 98 item 602.
Regulation of the Ministers of Infrastructure and Internal Affairs and Administration on road signs and signals of November 26, 2019, with later amendments.
Convention on Road Traffic concluded in Vienna on November 8, 1968, ratified by Poland on June 1, 1984. Journal of Laws 1988.5.40 of February 24, 1988.
Convention on Road Signs and Signals concluded in Vienna on November 8, 1968. Journal of Laws 1988.5.42 of February 24, 1988.
Iwanowicz, D., Hasiewicz, J. (2023). Dylematy interpretacyjne stosowania sygnałów drogowych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem sygnalizatora S-2 w "bezpiecznym" zarządzaniu ruchem drogowym. Część I/III, Paragraf na Drodze, 3/2023, 37 - 66. https://doi.org/10.4467/15053520PnD.23.013.18937
Iwanowicz, D., Hasiewicz, J. (2023). Dylematy interpretacyjne stosowania sygnałów drogowych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem sygnalizatora S-2 w "bezpiecznym" zarządzaniu ruchem drogowym. Część II/III, Paragraf na Drodze, 4/2023, 29 - 57. https://doi.org/10.4467/15053520PnD.23.016.19423
Iwanowicz, D., Hasiewicz, J. (2024). Dylematy interpretacyjne stosowania sygnałów drogowych ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem sygnalizatora S-2 w "bezpiecznym" zarządzaniu ruchem drogowym. Część III/III, Paragraf na Drodze, 1/2024, 41 - 66. https://doi.org/10.4467/15053520PnD.24.002.19682.
Burtowy M. (2023). Prawo o ruchu drogowym. Komentarz. Warszawa: Wolters Kluwer.
Dz.U.1992.11.41 of February 6, 1992 - act has expired.
III KK 165/20, Resolution of the Supreme Court of July 30, 2020 - LEX No. 3150243.
V KK 211/12, Resolution of the Supreme Court of January 18, 2013 - LEX No. 1277785.
II K 1265/17 - Judgment of the District Court for Kraków-Krowodrza in Kraków - LEX No. 2503940.
III KK 151/05 - Judgment of the Supreme Court - OSNwSK 2005/1/2287 - Lex No. 174662.
Judgment of the Regional Court in Koszalin of April 29, 2013, V Ka 757/12, LEX No. 1715477.
Kotowski W. (2011). Prawo o ruchu drogowym. Komentarz. Wolters Kluwer, Warszawa.
Mezglewski, A., Nowikowska, M., Kurek, J. (2022). Prawo o ruchu drogowym. Komentarz. Beck.
Stefański R.A. (2024). Prawo o ruchu drogowym. Komentarz, Wolters Kluwer, Warszawa.
M. Gabriel-Węglowski (2021).Odpowiedzialność za wypadek drogowy wyprzedzanego kierującego skręcającego w lewo, LEX/el.
Paprzycki K. L. (2006). Paragraf na Drodze, 8/2006, 5 - 12.
Pawelec, K. J., Krzemień, P. (red.). (2023). Opiniowanie w sprawach przestępstw i wykroczeń drogowych. Wolters Kluwer
Unarski, J. (2016). Skręt w lewo – między teorią a praktyką. Paragraf na Drodze, 7, 65-73.
Google Maps: https://www.google.pl/maps/place/Władysława+IV,+75-001+Koszalin/@54.2075946,16.1827966,118m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x4701cd5bd099d159:0x162b75fd1d75e007!8m2!3d54.2060855!4d16.1837209!16s%2Fg%2F1tg4_3b_?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTExOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D. (accessed November 14, 2024).
https://strefabrd.pl/2023/09/02/pieszy-nie-ma-bezwzglednego-pierwszenstwa-na-przejsciu-prof-r-a-stefanski-i-dr-inz-p-krzemien-dementujemy-informacje-podane-przez-fakty-tvn. (accessed November 21, 2024).
https://strefabrd.pl/2023/09/13/wtargniecie-na-jezdnie-czym-jest-i-jak-mu-zapobiegac/ (accessed November 21, 2024).
The Highway Code (PL version, reprint from 2018): pl-9780115535895-018-ni-highway-code-v1_1-accessible-2019.pdf (nidirect.gov.uk).
The Highway Code: https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/3/2/9/2/3292309/the_official_highway_code_-_25-03-2022.pdf. (March 25, 2022).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Civil Engineering and Transport
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
