2023-04-26 18:50:00
They concern the use of mobile phones while driving, traffic in residential areas and car parks, transporting a child in a car in a special seat and other cases. The changes to the Road Traffic Regulations prepared by the ministry were approved by the government on 19 April.
The changes were introduced as part of the amendment to the Road Safety Act adopted by the Sejm in October last year.
Calls only through the loudspeaker, even in traffic jams
Exemptions for when and how mobile devices may be used while driving have been clarified. The use of a mobile phone while driving is allowed only via a Bluetooth hands-free kit and only when the phone is placed in a special holder. You can also use a mobile phone using a hands-free kit mounted in the car and placed on the steering wheel, multimedia, etc.
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“Conversation on a hand-held telephone is prohibited, except when the means of transport is stationary. This exception is only allowed for long stops, but does not apply when stopping in traffic, at a red light, crossing pedestrians, etc.” – we read in the statement of the ministry.
Read more: Changes in traffic regulations
Do not overtake in a residential area
Changes in traffic regulations have updated the traffic order in the residential area and car parks. It has been established that cars cannot overtake in a residential area, in the courtyards of multi-apartment blocks and in parking lots.
| photo. Marian Paluszkiewicz
It is forbidden to stop in a place for the disabled
In addition, the road traffic regulations establish a clear and unambiguous ban on stopping and parking in a parking space intended only for vehicles marked with the “Disabled” sign or a parking card for people with disabilities.
Pedestrian priority
Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to move around more freely in the residential area and in the car parks. Under the revised traffic rules, cyclists in a residential area are exempted from the requirement to ride in a row and as close to the right edge of the lane as possible. Pedestrians in car parks may move along the entire carriageway, but may not interfere with the movement of vehicles. It is mandatory to use a pedestrian crossing, if there is one. Pedestrians have priority over vehicles in car parks.
Pedestrians on the bike path
To avoid confusion, exceptions have been made for pedestrians on cycle paths and cycle lanes on cycle paths. Pedestrians can cross a bike path or lane to cross to the other side. Pedestrians can also use the bike path if there is no footpath or pedestrian path on the road. In such cases, pedestrians must walk in such a way as not to interfere with the movement of cyclists.
Read more: It’s time for bike rides. How to prepare your two-wheeler?
Mandatory helmet for the quad driver
The requirements for drivers of four-wheeled vehicles of all types have been unified. It has been established that the driver of a wheeled tractor (category T3b) made on the basis of a four-wheeler structure and without a body (cab) is subject to the requirements for quadricycle drivers: it is obligatory to wear a helmet and drive with both hands, it is forbidden to drive on motorways and expressways, to carry children under 12 years of age.
Baby only in the car seat
A new recommendation for transporting a child by car has been added. It is recommended that a child in a special rear-facing seat be transported for as long as possible, in accordance with the instructions of the seat manufacturer. In this way, transporting a child in a newer type of car seat is possible for a much longer period (up to at least 15 months). For safety reasons, it is necessary to take into account the requirements and recommendations specified by car seat manufacturers. It is important that the child is transported in a special seat adapted to its height and weight.
A new sign to replace the old
Taking into account the new needs of road users, a new warning road sign No. 152 “Riders” appears in the traffic regulations – it will warn of a stretch of road where riders or horses are often driven. However, obsolete, irrelevant road signs are being dispensed with. Sign No. 706 “Telephone” and No. 725 “Visited place” will disappear. The “Telephone” sign became obsolete after the disappearance of payphones in Lithuania, and places of interest visited are already marked with other road signs, signs on a brown background with an arrow to the place of interest or the name of the place of interest.
All the above-mentioned changes to the Road Traffic Regulations, with the exception of road signs, will come into force on May 1 this year. The changes to road signs will come into effect on November 1.
| photo. Marian Paluszkiewicz
Opr. A.P.
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