Residents of the Polish town of Głowno (Łódzkie) appealed several times to the local authorities, asking them to paint a pedestrian crossing onto a road due to safety concerns. The dangerous spot separates a recreation centre for wakeboarders from a car park. 

The matter waited for weeks, which turned into months, but the 14,000 inhabitants of Głowno waited in vain. Eventually, on 2 November, a group of locals decided to take things into their own hands and simply painted white stripes across the road. 

The group added a tiny sign next to the original creation explaining the reason for such an undertaking. “This action was undertaken by residents for residents, and if it does not bring about change, it will certainly not be the last one”, – the sign reads. The short message also explains that the spot has seen many accidents, but that the local authorities had failed to take appropriate action on the issue. 

Although this original undertaking can put a smile on the face, it’s worth mentioning that interference with road markings is a punishable offence in Poland. It can be followed by a fine of up to PLN 5,000 (€1,065), as Auto Świat pointed out in a recent article. The magazine also warns that a prosecutor could even be called if an accident happened to take place on the spot. 

“Proceedings are underway for the arbitrary setting of road signs. Such an event is punishable by a fine of up to PLN 30,000. PLN, restriction of liberty or detention for up to 30 days,” – commander Magdalena Nowacka, from the County Police Headquarters in Zgierz told TVP 3 Łódź. 

However, the authors of the improvised pedestrian crossing believe they did the right thing. Their action was precisely was made to prevent accidents in the first place, which has proven efficient so far. The temporary road crossing was cleaned up the following day.

Image: Facebook (Głowno – nasze miasto)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen