Νew traffic rules on motorways and expressways for heavy goods vehicles are in force in Poland

REPUBLIC OF POLAND

AMB.ATE.610.4.124.2023

     The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic and has the honor to inform that, starting from July 1, 2023, new traffic rules on motorways and expressways for heavy goods vehicles are in force in Poland. Pursuant to the Law of 26 May 2023 amending the Law on Toll Motorways and the National Road Fund and certain other acts (Official Gazette, item 1193), amendments to the Road Traffic Law were added to art. 16 and Art.24.

     The provision of art. 16 sec. 2a of the Road Traffic Law imposes an obligation on the driver of a motor vehicle with a maximum total weight exceeding 3.5 tons and 12 tons or a combination of vehicles over 7 m long, on a motorway or expressway with three or more designated lanes on the carriageway in one direction, to use only the two lanes designated lanes on the carriageway in one direction, to use only the two lanes designated for a given direction, located closest to the right edge of the road. This change will organize and smooth the traffic of vehicles traveling on motorways and expressways with three or more lanes in one direction. It also ensures that at least one traffic lane on a motorway or express road (with a minimum of 3 lanes in one direction) will be free of motor vehicles with a maximum total weight exceeding 3.5 tons and 12 t and from vehicle combinations over 7 m long.

     In accordance with art. 24 sec. 13 of the Road Traffic Law, it is forbidden for the driver of a motor vehicle with a maximum total weight exceeding 3.5 tons and 12 tons to overtake a motor vehicle on a motorway and expressway with only two lanes for a given direction of traffic, unless the vehicle is moving at a speed much lower than the road legal limit for these vehicles.

     The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Athens avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic the assurances of its highest consideration.