Poland traffic laws: Key rules on overtaking and pedestrian safety

Polish traffic regulations contain specific prohibitions regarding overtaking that drivers often misunderstand. Under Article 26, paragraph 3, point 1 of the Road Traffic Law, overtaking is strictly forbidden on pedestrian crossings and immediately before them, unless the traffic is directed by signals.

Overtaking is defined as passing a vehicle or participant moving in the same direction, meaning a violation can occur even if the driver remains in their own lane. Furthermore, drivers are prohibited from bypassing a vehicle that has stopped to yield to a pedestrian at a crossing.

Additional restrictions apply even in the absence of specific 'no overtaking' signs. For instance, overtaking is prohibited at the crest of a hill and on dangerous curves marked with warning signs. While the B-25 sign specifically prohibits overtaking multi-track motor vehicles, general safety rules and other warning signs can effectively extend these prohibitions to include motorcycles and other vehicles to prevent head-on collisions.