If you enter the road from a sidewalk, does this mean that you are merging with traffic?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
YES
Explanation
In the video your car is parked on the pavement next to a street and you move off, driving from the pavement onto the roadway, where other cars are travelling. When you drive from the pavement onto the roadway, you are joining traffic (włączanie się do ruchu). The answer is: yes.
The Road Traffic Act states that joining traffic takes place when starting to drive after parking and when entering the roadway from the shoulder or from a footway (droga dla pieszych), and a driver joining traffic exercises particular caution and gives way to other vehicles and road users. A car coming off the pavement surprises those driving along the street, so it is you who waits for a gap. Before moving off, you look in the mirrors and over your shoulder, switch on your left indicator and enter when you will not cut in front of anyone or force anyone to brake.
Legal basis: Art. 17 para. 1 point 3 and para. 2 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)