Driving in Poland
 

Haven't driven in Poland in about 15 years. Is it as bad as the you-tube video's? We are defensive drivers, and have driven all over Europe, just wondered if you have any special tips? Thanks

Good news, the days of only parking in car parks with armed guards has long gone. Still don't leave the car in back streets. Generally Fords are the least attractive so hire down market and you'll be fine. Don't hire a top of the range BMW or else.

Last month we spent a long weekend in Warsaw, driving our personal vehicle from Vienna (upmarket, but not a BMW). We had secure parking at our rental apartment; in the "Welcome Notes" we read that Poland's auto theft rate is now in line with other EU countries, whatever that means. Others in our building parked their expensive cars on the street with a seeming lack of concern. We openly parked at Targowisko Bakalarsko, a large Warsaw flea market site, and a few other places and had no concerns at all.

As for driving, my impressions might be colored after two decades of DC driving and now three years driving in Europe. Basically nothing fazes me. We found the Poles to drive fast, but not aggressively. The major autobahn routes are in very good condition; even the more local routes (such as between Krakow and Wroclaw) are also in good condition.

Thanks, good to hear. We didn't rent an upmarket car, as we usually went to Czech Republic from Germany and they were restricted.

We took a tour of Poland a couple of years ago and the thing I noticed most was there is a lot of traffic. There aren't that many major roads in Poland and that leads to congestion.

Thanks for your information. Roads are good, drivers about the same as US. We drove through Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. It has changed a lot in the last years, and they are building new roads, but not a lot of delays. Weather was wonderful, we had a great trip.

Stick to major routes. Secondary roads can be slow, with uneven surfaces and inconsistent signposting. Up-to-date GPS is useful. They still have rather high accident rate, and during a 10-day visit, saw many accidents, some looking quite serious (overturned cars etc). Drink-driving is probably the cause (though there is zero alcohol limit, didn't see much enforcement). Major, non-motorway roads carry heavy commercial traffic, and few opportunities to pass with just one lane in each direction.

dont worry. its not that bad. sometimes the drivers - especially young ones, in old BMW cars - drive like crazy, but I would say that 90 % of the drivers drive ok.

dont speed in the city ! the new fees for that are up to 400 euros and possible driver license take by police....