Car and bus drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, passengers of public transport and pedestrians “meet” everyday on the streets of Warsaw. The Public Transport Authority (ZTM), Polski Związek Motorowy (Polish Motor Union) and Komenda Stołeczna Policji (Warsaw Police Headquarters) established a cooperation to assure their safety and support friendly coexistence of big and small vehicles on the roads. On 1 September they launch a campaign “Jedź bezpiecznie” (Drive Safely).
In order to reach the destination safely, apart from obeying road regulations, it is necessary to show consideration and kindness to each other. For that purpose, Ten Commandments of Safe Travelling have been created. If we start to obey simple rules which we often forget in everyday rush, we will contribute not only to the decrease of the number of accidents but also to the reduction of stressful situations and unnecessary conflicts among road users.
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Ten Commandments of Safe Travelling 1. Adjust speed to road conditions. 2. Try to predict behavior of other road users. 3. Always obey the give-way rules. 4. Do not cut in other vehicles. Sudden braking is especially dangerous for the passengers of public transport. 5. Do not block the junctions. 6. Give way to the public transport vehicles that enter the traffic. 7. Pay attention to pedestrians and people who run across the road to catch a bus or a tram, and to those who can come out from behind the other vehicle at a stop right into your path. 8. If you are a pedestrian, do not run into the road, do not come out from behind a bus or a tram unless you are sure the road is safe. 9. Use horn only if necessary, e.g. to draw attention to a dangerous situation. 10. Be kind, self-controlled and show consideration – better arrive late than never. |
Within the years to come, a large investment – the construction of the central II line of the underground, will influence the Warsaw traffic to a large extend. Important arteries and junctions will be closed. To prevent the inhabitants from being stuck in traffic jams, public transport will have to get more road privileges. The reason for that decision is that one bus takes the same space as four private cars, but a bus can carry approximately 170 passengers (a tram –over 200). An average of 1.3 passengers travel a car in Warsaw on weekdays. It shows how important a rational choice of means of transport is.
Leszek Ruta
the Director of the Board of ZTM in Warsaw
We encourage drivers to change their means of transport to public transport. If they are not able to do that because e.g. they use car at work, we encourage them to treat the buses and trams in Warsaw with kindness. That way they will help numerous passengers to reach their destination on time, and they will also benefit. The more Warsaw dwellers choose public transport, the less traffic jams will build.
Choosing public transport contributes to the cleaner air in Warsaw. A private car emits 140 grams of carbon dioxide per one kilometer. A bus, which carries an average of 80 passengers – emits only 11 grams of CO2 (per one passenger).
The “Jedź bezpiecznie” Campaign is supported by Tomasz Kuchar, a well known racing driver, the Polish champion, an expert who participated in the World Rally Championship. He warns against bravado and encourages sensible driving.
Tomasz Kuchar
racing driver
If you have practiced high speed driving for years, it doesn’t release you from obeying the driving rules and, most of all, from thinking and predicting various situations on the road. High speed is fine when we are racing as sportsmen. On public roads we are drivers as everyone else, and we have to obey the same rules. The safe driving skill is invaluable, and one of its elements is the awareness of the border between sport and a real life. I teach that in my Academy of Safe Driving. Apart from technical skills, kindness towards other drivers is also important, especially for the drivers of big vehicles that carry many passengers.
Bravado is reflected in police statistics. Between January and June 2011 in Warsaw there were 521 accidents – 30 more in comparison to the first half-year of 2010. 49 people died in the accidents (25 more) and 614 people were injured (43 more). Police stopped 1085 drunk drivers (293 more). The most common causes of the accidents were: the drivers failed to give the right of way (36.5 per cent), wrong way of driving on crosswalks (29.8 per cent) and improper speed for the road conditions (12.2 per cent of the accidents).
Wojciech Pasieczny
Legal advisor of the Traffic Police Department of Warsaw Police Headquarters
Many people who sit behind the wheel think they are perfect drivers. They think that accidents won’t happen to them. Reality often drastically verifies such beliefs. Bravado, lack of imagination and showing off leads straight to tragedies, which, unfortunately, happen almost every day on Warsaw roads.
If you want to race go to the racing track. On the road ease off the accelerator, obey the traffic regulations, and be sensible and kind to others.
Police officers from the Traffic Police Department of Warsaw Police Headquarters will distribute a brochure with the Ten Commandments of Safe Travelling prepared by ZTM for the drivers during road checks. The brochures will also be available at the car parks “Parkuj i Jedź” (Park & Ride). The posters with an image of Tomasz Kuchar will be set on 20 billboards lent by AMS, a company that is a sponsor of the campaign. The image of the racing driver will also be visible for the drivers at the back of 20 buses owned by ZTM, a partner of “Jedź bezpiecznie” campaign.
The campaign will end on 30 September 2011
Published 31 August 2011
Last modified 3 June 2019
