On November 1, we celebrate All Saints' Day – a time of memories, reflection and visiting the graves of loved ones. Millions of candles are burning in cemeteries all over Poland, and the police operation “Candle” is underway on the access roads to the necropolis and the exit routes. There are calls for extreme caution due to very strong winds – mainly in northern Poland. In Gdańsk – due to the storm – the interdenominational prayer on All Saints' Day was canceled.
On November 1, Poles went to cemeteries to visit the graves of their loved ones. However, before you could light a candle or lay flowers, you had to get to the cemetery, and this – especially for those who chose to travel by car – was not always easy.
Due to huge traffic jams, many people decided to leave home very early. – We leave at half past seven to be at the cemetery earlier. This is so that there are fewer people, less traffic, and we still have graves along the way – says Mr. Tomasz. – We arrive to avoid traffic jams, that's why we arrive so early – adds Mr. Maciej. – It's great to go at this time and then you can calmly come back for tea or breakfast – says Mrs. Aniela.
Public transport helps to improve traffic flow
In many cities, to improve traffic and facilitate access, additional bus or tram lines have been launched.
– I don't live that far, so I could walk, but since I have a backpack, two nets, I chose the bus – says a resident of Krakow. – Convenient, you just get on the bus and go. Every minute or two, a bus arrives – says a resident of Gdańsk.
Employees of the Public Transport Authority in Gdańsk helped to ensure that everyone got on the right bus. – Especially seniors are very grateful. People who do not use public transport on a daily basis are grateful, because they would get lost – says Adam Kaszubowski from the Municipal Transport Authority in Gdańsk.
Today is All Saints' Day. Police appealTVN24
Changes in traffic organization have been introduced in the vicinity of many cemeteries. It was not possible to enter some streets with your own car at all. At some intersections, police officers took over traffic control.
– We appeal to all drivers to be careful about changes in traffic organization, follow the instructions given by police officers and, above all, park their vehicles in a safe place – says the superintendent. Joanna Skrent from the Road Traffic Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Gdańsk.
At the Central Cemetery in Szczecin – the largest necropolis in Poland – one of the roads was completely closed to traffic.
The “Znicz” campaign will last longer this year
To make it as safe as possible, approximately 6,000 traffic policemen were on duty on November 1 alone. It will be easier to spot police patrols not only near cemeteries in the coming days. Uniformed officers will ensure order and safety on roads throughout the country. A 40-year-old man detained by police officers from Hrubieszów found out about this.
– He was traveling at a speed of 147 kilometers per hour. Thus, he exceeded the speed limit by over 97 kilometers – informs the superintendent. Anna Kamola from the Provincial Police Headquarters in Lublin. He received a PLN 5,000 fine and 20 penalty points.
– First of all, keep your foot off the gas, because speed checks and, above all, sobriety and technical condition checks are very intense. We also look at pedestrians, because vulnerable road users are particularly vulnerable to the tragic consequences of road accidents, said Asp. Mariusz Bazylak from the Warsaw Police Headquarters.
The police emphasize that this year's “Znicz” campaign, which started on October 31, will be one day longer than last year and will last until November 4. – We expect that since Saturday and Sunday are still free, there will be more traffic in the vicinity of cemeteries on these two days – points out Joanna Skrent.
On October 31 alone, two people died and 62 were injured in 55 accidents. The police detained 214 drunk drivers.
Main photo source: TVN24