Priority over oncoming trafficPoland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Poland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


28. Priority over oncoming traffic

Priority over oncoming traffic means that drivers travelling in one direction have priority through a narrow section of road over drivers approaching from the opposite direction. The rule is normally indicated by a priority sign facing one direction and a corresponding give-way sign facing the other.

Drivers with priority must still approach cautiously and must not force their way through when the passage is blocked or already occupied. The signs regulate priority through the narrow section, not speed, parking or priority at nearby intersections.

Priority over oncoming traffic
Priority-over-oncoming-traffic sign near the ruins of a farm in Różanka. (Poland)
Wikimedia.org • Mkosmul • CC BY-SA
How is priority over oncoming traffic controlled in Poland?

Polish signs distinguish priority for opposing traffic from Pierwszeństwo na zwężonym odcinku jezdni, priority through the narrowed carriageway. Follow the direction controlled by the sign you face.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 3, 19, 23; Signs 25 and 46

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way. Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

English • Traffic sign D-5 • Priority at a narrow section. Sign D-5 means that drivers may drive or walk through before drivers approaching from the opposite direction.

Polski • D-5 • pierwszeństwo na zwężonym odcinku jezdni. Znak D-5 „pierwszeństwo na zwężonym odcinku jezdni” oznacza, że kierujący przejeżdżają lub przechodzą przed kierującymi zbliżającymi się z kierunku przeciwnego.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Eli.gov.pl • § 46 ust.

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Szczepan dyskusja Mail 18:29, 31 December 2006 (UTC) • Public domain • Original revision 2025-10-10. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Polish official sign catalogue, Dz.U. 2019 poz. 2310: Eli.gov.pl • D-5, PDF page 44, with amendments 2021/433, 2021/2065, 2022/2372 and 2026/133 checked. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

Can you enter an occupied narrow passage when you have priority in Poland?

Do not force a conflict. Check the full available width and let a vehicle already committed to the passage clear it when both vehicles cannot pass safely. A priority control does not permit creating danger or disregarding a red signal or authorised instruction.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 3, 19, 23; Signs 25 and 46

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

Does priority through a narrow passage extend to nearby junctions in Poland?

No. A control releasing your direction or giving priority over opposing traffic concerns that passage. Junction priority, speed limits, crossings and any later restriction must be assessed separately from their own signs and rules.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 3, 19, 23; Signs 25 and 46

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

1 Poland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Separated path 12 Pedestrian warning 13 Tunnel 14 Speed bump 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 Turn prohibition 34 School area 35 Overtaking 36 Crossing animals 37 Curve 38 Chevron 39 Wrong-way driving 40 Roadworks 41 Height limit 42 Weight limit 43 Radar speed sign 44 Priority at the next junction 45 Traffic lights 46 Traffic lights warning 47 Pedestrian lights 48 Road markings 49 Junction layout 50 Driving licence 51 Traffic mirror 52 International border 53 Pedestrian underpass 54 Cycling route 55 Parking 56 No parking 57 No stopping 58 Park and ride 59 Kiss and ride 60 Disabled parking 61 Traffic management 62 Merging 63 Reversing 64 U-turn 65 Road surface 66 Provisional licence 67 Hazardous cargo 68 Radio service 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Licence plate 72 Charging station 73 Dangers 74 Rail safety 75 Pedestrian 76 Cyclist 77 Car 78 Truck 79 Bus 80 Police 81 Ambulance 82 Taxi 83 European emission standard 84 Public road 85 Pothole 86 Private property 87 Path 88 Particulates 89 Air pollution 90 Rush hour 91 Road code 92 Two-way traffic 93 Street gutter 94 Cargo bike 95 Forestry vehicle 96 Construction vehicle 97 Semi-trailer truck 98 Trolleybus 99 Speed pedelec 100 Delivery vehicle ...