Polish Minister of Infrastructure urged to adopt smartphone‑distraction road sign

The Institute of Civic Affairs has submitted an appeal to Poland’s Minister of Infrastructure requesting the introduction of a new warning sign for road users distracted by mobile phones. The proposed sign would be triangular with a red border, yellow background and a black silhouette of a person looking at a phone, bearing the text “Uwaga – piesi korzystający z telefonów” (Warning – pedestrians using phones) or a broader version covering all road users.

The institute asks for an analysis of the sign’s necessity, preparation of a design, a pilot program in selected cities—especially near schools, universities, stations and shopping centres—and changes to the regulations governing traffic signs. It also recommends a nationwide education campaign titled “Podnieś głowę. Odłóż telefon. Przejdź bezpiecznie” (Lift your head. Put down the phone. Cross safely). Existing Polish law already bans phone use by pedestrians and drivers in certain situations, but the institute argues that additional visual reminders at high‑risk locations are needed to reduce accidents caused by distraction.

The appeal was published on 15 July, coinciding with the International Day of the Mobile Phone, and cites World Health Organization findings and European road‑safety observations that handheld device use significantly raises crash risk.