The law strictly regulates the issue of mandatory equipment of the car. It mainly includes a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in unpleasant consequences in the form of a fine of up to PLN 500. There are also several additional items that, although not legally required, are always worth having on hand. What are we talking about?
Regardless of the situation, there should always be a fire extinguisher and warning triangle in our car, because this is required by Polish traffic regulations. Lack of any of these items of equipment exposes us to a financial penalty of up to PLN 500. A triangle is also required in the event of a car breakdown - if we do not position it behind a stationary vehicle, we are exposed to another ticket. Some provisions contained in the ordinance of the Minister of Infrastructure of December 31, 2002, on the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment, leave a lot of room for our interpretation, which is not necessarily favorable for us.
In the case of a fire extinguisher, the regulations very clearly say that it should be placed in an easily accessible place if necessary. But what does "easily accessible" mean? Can the trunk be considered such a place? An over-zealous police officer may decide not - especially if the fire extinguisher is under a spare wheel or a pile of other objects. The fire extinguisher should be functional - although the fact is that the expiry date itself should not be the basis for punishing the driver with a fine.
Fire extinguisher? Warning triangle? What about the first aid kit?
Contrary to popular belief, the first aid kit does not belong to the mandatory equipment of the car. The law neither regulates its content nor requires it to be in the car. However, it cannot be denied that her presence can be invaluable when an accident occurs.
The first-aid kit is one of the first things that comes to mind when we talk about the mandatory equipment of the car, and yet in the ordinance of the Minister of Infrastructure, there is no word about it. Nevertheless, we should always have it on hand. In the event of an accident, the first aid kit can decide if a seriously injured person can be saved.
We can only hope that Poland - like our neighbors, Germany, the Czech Republic, and many European Union countries - will soon regulate this issue. The first aid kit should be equipped with at least bandages, latex gloves, thermal foil, resuscitation mouthpiece, dressings, and scissors.
Remember driver documents!
According to the law, from October 1, 2018, the driver is not required to bring with him the vehicle registration certificate or a document confirming the possession of a valid civil liability policy. Earlier, a fine of PLN 50 was threatening them. However, you always have to have your driving license with you.
"Having civil liability insurance is mandatory for all owners of registered vehicles. However, you should not only take out the purchase but also the policy continuity. An over 14-day break in the possession of civil liability may result in a fine of up to 4,500. Although the price of liability insurance depends on the data related to the driver and his vehicle, it is usually several times lower than a possible penalty. Also, checking the offers of various insurers in the online insurance comparison site can result in a price lower by up to half than buying a policy directly from an agent," says Stefania Stuglik, an expert in motor insurance at rankomat.pl.
Additional car equipment - what else is worth carrying with you?
In addition to the first-aid kit, there are other elements that every cautious driver should put in the car. It can even be a reflective vest with reflective tape that will significantly increase our safety if we are forced to leave the vehicle in the middle of the road late, as a result of a breakdown of our vehicle or by helping accident participants.
Car breakdowns can occur far from the city and car service, so you should also have spare bulbs, fuses, a wheel, and a set of tools to replace them, including a jack and appropriate keys. A tow rope or a spare fuel can also be useful.
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