The first days of March brought a dramatic increase in the number of road accidents across Poland. Emergency services report a series of fatal incidents, including on national roads 22 and 454. The toll is particularly tragic for motorcyclists – four enthusiasts of two-wheelers lost their lives just last weekend. Police point to treacherous weather conditions, including low sun angles and still slippery road surfaces.
Death of four motorcyclists
The start of the season proved tragic for two-wheeler users, who died in different parts of the country.
Paralysis of express routes
Collisions on the A1, A4, and S3 and S12 roads caused multi-hour disruptions for drivers.
Victims involving trees
Further fatal accidents after hitting roadside trees on DK22 and routes in Pomerania.
The beginning of March on Polish roads was marked by a series of tragic events, exposing the dangers associated with the start of the motorcycle season and changeable weather. The most dramatic reports came from Masovia and the Lubusz Voivodeship. On national road 22, on the Kostrzyn nad Odrą – Słońsk section, a woman died after a car hit a tree. Another accident with an almost identical mechanism occurred in Pomerania, once again sparking public debate about safety on tree-lined routes. Meanwhile, in Rogoźno, the driver who fatally struck a pedestrian was charged and pleaded guilty during the explanatory proceedings. The situation on expressways and motorways was critical in recent hours. The A4 motorway towards Korczowa and the S3 expressway in the Lubusz region were temporarily blocked by collisions and overturned trucks. Particularly troublesome for travelers were two road incidents on the A1 motorway near Pyrzowice. They occurred just 500 meters apart, paralyzing traffic towards the airport. Problems also affected railway infrastructure; in Greater Poland, a failure of level crossing barriers led to a complete halt of traffic at a local crossing. According to data from the National Police Headquarters, the transition from winter to spring is one of the most dangerous periods on the roads. The apparent improvement in weather encourages higher speeds, even though asphalt temperatures remain near zero, drastically reducing tire grip. Road safety experts are paying particular attention to the start of the motorcycle season, which this year is exceptionally bloody. Reports of four motorcyclists dying last weekend confirm the worst-case scenarios of rescue services. Dangerous incidents also involved animals; in Podlasie, drivers hit moose and deer, unable to brake on the slippery surface. Material fatigue and human error completed the picture of destruction – in one case, the driver of a truck transporting poultry fell asleep at the wheel, causing the rig to overturn into a ditch. A vote of no confidence in their own skills should be cast by those who decided to drive under the influence of alcohol, which was the cause of incidents in the Olsztyn region. „To był tragiczny weekend na drogach garnizonu mazowieckiego. Trzy osoby nie żyją, a 20 zostało rannych.” (It was a tragic weekend on the roads of the Masovian garrison. Three people are dead, and 20 were injured.) — Masovian Police