When passing a vehicle marked with the visible blue plate at the front and rear and with the hazard warning lights on, are you always obliged to stop whenever a disabled person is getting in or out of the vehicle?
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Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the photo a white minibus is standing in front of you with a blue plate with a wheelchair symbol - a vehicle for carrying persons with disabilities. When passing it while its hazard warning lights are on, you are not obliged to stop in every case - you stop only if necessary. The answer is: no.
The Road Traffic Act states that a driver passing a vehicle designed and built to carry persons with disabilities, marked at the front and rear with blue plates with a wheelchair symbol, is obliged to exercise particular caution while a person with a disability is getting in or out, and to stop if necessary. The key words are "if necessary": the absolute obligation is particular caution, and stopping depends on the situation. If the person is getting out on the pavement side and you have room to pass the minibus slowly with a safe gap, you do not have to stop. You stop when the ramp or wheelchair comes onto the roadway, the person is crossing in front of the vehicle, or oncoming traffic does not allow you to pass the minibus with a wide gap. The rule on passing a vehicle with a yellow plate carrying a group of children is worded the same way - there too, stopping depends on the need.
Legal basis: Art. 58 para. 2 and Art. 57 para. 2 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)