MEPs adopted a draft law that would impose new obligations on pedestrians. It is about ordering to wear safety vests after dark. Pedestrians who do not comply with the order will face a fine of up to PLN 3,000. zł.
According to data from the Central Police Headquarters, in 2012 there were 10.3 thousand accidents involving pedestrians. 1167 people died in them. Although the vast majority of such events take place at pedestrian crossings and intersections, a great danger is associated with the movement of pedestrians on roadsides in an undeveloped area. At night, it is virtually impossible to see a pedestrian on time, which is not wearing reflective elements. In 2012, there were 447 accidents, and 59 people died in them. There are many indications that soon there will be fewer such events. SLD deputies prepared a draft regulation that imposed the obligation to wear a reflective vest on pedestrians moving after dark outside the built-up area along roads where there is no sidewalk.
Why is it so important? Pedestrian, walking after dark without reflective elements, is visible from a distance of only 20-30 meters. If the driver travels at 90 km / h, he travels 25 meters in a second. It does not give you any chance of any reaction. However, if the pedestrian is equipped with a reflective element, the driver will notice it from a distance of 130-150 meters and will not have any problems avoiding it.
SLD deputies wanted the new law to promote safe behavior instead of becoming a whip on pedestrians, which is why they did not foresee penalties for ignoring the requirement to wear reflective vests. Paradoxically, however, it can turn against a pedestrian. As Gazette informs, the police intend to enforce the provisions on general principles, and pursuant to art 79 of the Code of Misdemeanors, a traffic participant who breaks the other provisions of the Highway Code or issued based on it, may be fined up to PLN 3,000. Of course, it is impossible to suspect that this will be a standard punishment for ignoring the requirement to wear a vest, but its amount will be discretionary and it will depend on the decision of the police officer how much we will receive.
It is also worth looking at the issue of adjudging blame for road accidents involving pedestrians. If the obligation to wear a reflective vest has been passed, the guilt or co-payment for the accident may be charged to a pedestrian who will ignore the order and be struck. However, if the deduction comes to the side of the illuminated road, the lack of flares will not matter to the police. The insurer to reduce the value of the compensation paid to the deducted pedestrian, however, can use this circumstance.