Romanian drivers use IPA stickers and coded alerts to navigate police presence

In Romania, discussions have emerged regarding drivers using International Police Association (IPA) stickers on their vehicles. Some citizens suggest these stickers are used in an attempt to signal a connection to law enforcement, potentially seeking leniency during traffic stops. However, observers note that these stickers hold no legal value and do not prove membership in the organization.

Simultaneously, following a Court of Justice of the European Union decision allowing member states to restrict digital warnings about police checkpoints, drivers have begun discussing alternative “codes” on navigation apps like Waze. These include using weather symbols, such as storms or fog, to signal the presence of police or radar to avoid detection.

The Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs has responded to these trends, stating that the best way to avoid fines and police encounters is to follow traffic regulations rather than employing evasion strategies or emojis.