No, Poland’s Road Traffic Act (Prawo o Ruchu Drogowym) prohibits actions diverting attention from driving, including eating, under Article 5(1). The National Road Safety Council (KBR) in 2024 emphasized distracted driving as a primary cause of accidents, prompting stricter 2026 enforcement by the Police Headquarters (Policja). Violations may incur fines up to 200 PLN and penalty points.
Key Regulations for Eating While Driving in Poland
- Distraction Clause (Art. 5(1)): Consuming food or beverages while driving is classified as a distraction, violating the duty of full attention to traffic.
- Police Enforcement (2026 Update): The Police Headquarters will deploy mobile patrols and dashcams to detect distracted driving, including eating, with heightened penalties.
- Penalty Framework: Offenders face fines of 100–200 PLN and 2–5 penalty points, per the 2023 amendment to the Penalty Points System Regulation.
Local courts have upheld convictions for eating-related distractions, citing the KBR’s 2024 guidelines. Exceptions apply only for emergency stops or vehicles in stationary traffic, where eating is permitted. The Polish legal framework aligns with EU directives on road safety, prioritizing undivided driver focus.