From next year, drivers will encounter new traffic signs on the roads. Starting from January, they will see, for example, markings for shared zones, park-and-drive (P+D) parking, and advice to keep a safe distance. The legislative council of the government approved the amendment, as reported by the Ministry of Transport in a press release on Monday. According to the ministry, these updates stem from the amendment to the Road Traffic Act and from practical experience in response to current trends in road traffic development.
„The amendment to the Road Traffic Act brings a number of changes to our roads from January 1. Therefore, we are introducing new types of traffic signs that respond to some of these innovations. Drivers will begin to encounter signs indicating the beginning and end of shared zones or reminding them to maintain a safe following distance on the highway,“ said Minister of Transport Martin Kupka (ODS).
The signs for the beginning and end of a shared zone will delineate the space for all road users. The P+D parking sign, indicating park and drive, will designate parking lots where drivers can switch to another vehicle after parking [carpooling – red.]. The adjustment to the sign for keeping a safe distance will better remind drivers of how to correctly maintain distance between vehicles. Two arrows between two consecutive vehicles indicate the minimum safe distance between vehicles on a given road at the highest allowable speed under normal conditions. The pictograms for electric cars and electric scooters will also have a new design. The introduction of the designation for social service vehicles will allow parking of vehicles operated by social service providers in such marked places.
Furthermore, a sign for service points for sanitary facilities in motorhomes is being introduced. The sign indicating a warning before an intersection for cyclists will also undergo a slight modification. „We are convinced that the new traffic signs will make it easier for drivers to navigate in traffic and help them adhere to road traffic rules seamlessly,“ said Stanislav Dvořák, the director of the Drivers‘ Affairs Department at the Ministry of Transport.
As of January 1, 2024, relevant administrative authorities will decide on the use and placement of the new signs. On highways, the Ministry of Transport will decide on the placement of signs after consulting with the Ministry of the Interior. On first-class roads, decisions will be made by regional authorities with input from the Czech Police. For second and third-class roads, municipal authorities will decide on the placement of signs, requiring the approval of the police. Thanks to transitional provisions, the signage will not change uniformly at once but gradually over the next ten years.
Rules regarding shared zones
§ 39b
(1) A shared zone is a built-up area whose beginning is marked by the traffic sign „Shared Zone,“ and its end is marked by the traffic sign „End of Shared Zone.“ It is intended for use by all road users.
(2) In the shared zone, participants in road traffic on roads must exercise increased consideration towards other traffic participants, whom they must not endanger. Other road users must not obstruct tram drivers, and trams always have the right of way.
(3) In the shared zone, pedestrians and cyclists may use the road in its entire width, with § 53 and § 54 not applying to pedestrians and § 57 (2 and 3) not applying to cyclists (riding at the right edge of the roadway and only individually, note by the editor). If a vehicle with the right of way approaches, pedestrians must immediately clear the space for the passage of this vehicle.
(4) In the shared zone, drivers are allowed to travel at a maximum speed of 20 km/h. Parking of motor vehicles is only allowed in designated parking areas. Parking of bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles is only allowed in designated areas.
(Source: Act No. 361/2000 Coll.)
This is an adjusted ChatGPT translation of this article: https://mestemnakole.cz/2023/12/od-roku-2024-bude-mozne-vyznacit-sdilenou-zonu-i-parkovani-pro-elektrokolobezky/
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