Easter is just a few days away. Lower Silesian police officers are already preparing for this period. Their main task will be to ensure safety and order on the roads. Main traffic routes, roads leading out of cities, as well as the areas around churches and cemeteries will be subject to special supervision. Officers will ensure that travellers can move efficiently and safely, but also—as soon as the need arises—provide appropriate assistance. Experience from previous years indicates that this year, too, many people visiting their loved ones will spend considerable time travelling. They will travel by train, coach or their own cars. Police officers will pay attention to the safety of travellers and their luggage at railway and bus stations.

However, officers expect the heaviest holiday traffic on the roads. Therefore, there will be more police patrols. Officers will appear not only on the most important roads in our region, but also on local roads. They will use police cars—not only marked ones—equipped, among other things, with video recorders. When the situation on the road requires it, officers will direct traffic so that travellers can reach their destinations efficiently and safely. Safety should be important to all of us, however, so it is worth preparing properly for the journey.

Let us remember:

  • when setting out on a longer journey, we should be well rested
  • check our car—whether its technical inspection is up to date, whether the lights work properly, whether there is washer fluid, a fire extinguisher, a spare wheel, etc.
  • check the documents: both those for the car and the driver’s documents
  • prepare a travel plan—the route and places where we can rest during the journey
  • fasten seat belts and transport children in child seats
  • adjust our speed to road conditions and our abilities—the slower you drive, the safer you are
  • never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

Police officers advise that during trips we should also remember to secure our houses and flats. Before leaving, all windows and doors should be closed carefully. If we have burglar-proof roller shutters, they should be lowered—after all, that is why we installed them. Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on our flat and pay attention to it during our absence. Do not leave any signs indicating that we are away (scattered advertisements on the doormat or correspondence in the letterbox). Do not leave the keys to the flat in an agreed location, such as a storage compartment or under the doormat.

The Easter period also includes the tradition of Wet Monday. Let us remember that improperly observing the Easter custom of śmigus-dyngus—for example, pouring large quantities of water on passers-by from buildings or contaminating them, as well as throwing water-filled plastic bags from overpasses at passing cars—may result in violating bodily integrity, causing bodily harm, damaging property or violating the inviolability of a home. Such people must expect legal consequences for their irresponsible behaviour.

Let us remember: throwing water on random passers-by may expose us to material losses—for example, if a person’s clothing is damaged. Particular attention should be paid to children during this period, as in the heat of water-throwing games, the youngest often run onto the road, violating all traffic regulations, while a wet surface may prove to be an unpleasant surprise with serious consequences for approaching cars. Police officers warn enthusiasts of mass and persistent water-throwing about the legal consequences of all hooligan incidents.

If something seems concerning, let us not hesitate to ask for help. Such cases should be reported to police officers by calling 997 or 112. They will investigate every such report.