A reader sent us a photo with the following comment:
A group of irresponsible women is crossing a closed railway crossing even though the barriers are down.
And asked for an article on the subject.
The matter is serious because not only is crossing a closed railway crossing dangerous, but it can also result in a high fine. As asp. szt. Monika Kaleta from the Press Section of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Wrocław reported in the winter of 2022:
(...) pedestrians and cyclists must also take into account the new high penalties for certain offences. A resident of Wrocław forgot about this and, a few days ago in the Ziębice municipality, lost patience and crossed the tracks, bypassing the closed barriers and ignoring the red signal light. This was witnessed by traffic police officers from the Ząbkowice command, who were standing near the railway crossing in a marked police car. Failure to comply with the applicable regulations cost the 61-year-old PLN 2,000.
The policewoman added at the time:
Let us remember that reckless behaviour near a railway crossing can cost us our lives—regardless of whether we are pedestrians or travelling by car or bicycle.