Failure to give way to a pedestrian. Commentary on the judgment of the Regional Court in Piotrków Trybunalski of May 26, 2022, case file no. VII W 135/22 Cover Image

Nieustąpienie pierwszeństwa pieszemu. Glosa do wyroku Sądu Rejonowego w Piotrkowie Trybunalskim z dnia 26 maja 2022 r., sygn. akt VII W 135/22
Failure to give way to a pedestrian. Commentary on the judgment of the Regional Court in Piotrków Trybunalski of May 26, 2022, case file no. VII W 135/22

Author(s): Witold Matejko
Subject(s): Rural and urban sociology
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: Pedestrian crossing; pedestrian entering; pedestrian priority; giving way to a pedestrian;

Summary/Abstract: The subject of the article is an analysis of the amendments to the Act on Road Traffic (in force since June 1, 2021) regarding pedestrians’ right of way on a pedestrian crossing and the meaning of the concept of a pedestrian entering the crossing in particular. The Regional Court in Piotrków Trybunalski in the judgment of May 26th 2022, case file no. VII W 135/22, ruled that a pedestrian waiting to enter the crossing should be considered a pedestrian entering the crossing. In the author's opinion, such interpretation illustrates a creative interpretation as it adds elements not included in the provisions of the Act. As a consequence, it violates the rule of nulla contraventio sine lege by allowing the punishment of drivers for acts which do not violate any of the provisions of the Act on Road Traffic. The analysis was largely based on a literal interpretation of the provsions of the Act and the principle of strict interpretation of any repressive laws.

  • Issue Year: 2022
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 7-19
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Polish