Splashing the cash

26th February 2010



On several occasions I have berated the Polish motorist for the high death-rates on the roads here, speaking from my endangered position as a pedestrian. But this week I learned that there is a small window during which we foot-sloggers can take our revenge. It appears that drivers can be fined up to PLN 3000 for splashing a pedestrian.

Given the current state of the roads, this is a guaranteed occurrence. Following the severe winter the spring thaw has revealed road surfaces that make Swiss cheeses look solid, and the accumulated snow is melting to turn roads into rivers. If a pedestrian can call police to the scene immediately, a driver might reveive a spot fine of anything from PLN 20- ...