Traffic law. Fine for lack of windshield washer fluid? We explain

The photo spread on social media raises questions from Internet users. It shows a note hanging on a shelf in a hypermarket stating: “Remember to stock up on windshield washer fluid. From October 1 this year, new regulations apply regarding the obligation to carry a stock of windshield washer fluid in your car.” On December 30, 2024, the photo was shown on the website X by Leszek Krasowski, commenting ironically: “I also carry brake fluid and radiator fluid. Just like mouthwash. When further EU regulations come into force, no one or anything will surprise me.” The entry has been viewed over 38,000 times. times.

On the same day, a screenshot of this post appeared on one of… Facebook pages. There, it was tagged with the hashtags: #fejk, #fakenews and #polska.

However, on website X, the store's announcement sparked discussion among Internet users. “Who lives here in a circus, I don't laugh”; “Is there really such a recipe?” – they commented (original spelling of posts). Others were ironic: “And the turn signal fluid?”; “Do you have spare turn signal fluid?”; “I carry tire air in the trunk, loosely, because I have a large trunk…”

Some argued that there is no obligation to carry windshield washer fluid. “It's true that there are no such regulations, but it's nice to complain about the EU because of a fake regulation”; “This is fake news. You have no such obligation. It does not result from any act or regulation,” they wrote.

This is not the first time that a message about mandatory windshield washer fluid has circulated on the Polish Internet. It was distributed already in the fall of 2022, when one of the automotive services he wrotethat from October 31, there will be a fine of PLN 500 for not having enough windshield washer fluid. We verified this in Konkret24. However, the message came back autumn 2023, and again in December 2024.

It lists all elements of the mandatory equipment of a passenger car ordinance Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment of December 31, 2002. According to it, every car must have: a triangle for placing on the road and a fire extinguisher. As we have checked, no amendments to this law have been introduced in recent years.

Therefore, a driver in Poland is not legally obliged to carry spare windshield washer fluid – but he has another obligation. Article 66(1) 1 point 1 and 5 of the Act Road traffic law state that “a vehicle participating in traffic must be constructed, equipped and maintained in such a way that its use: 1) does not threaten the safety of its occupants or other road participants, does not violate traffic order on the road and does not expose anyone to harm, 5) ensured a sufficient field of vision for the driver and easy, comfortable and safe use of steering, braking, signaling and lighting devices while keeping an eye on the road. Based on the above-mentioned regulations, the police may verify the condition of the vehicle, including: in terms of ensuring adequate visibility for the driver.

Answering Konkret24's question about windshield washer fluid, Superintendent Robert Opas from the Road Traffic Office of the Police Headquarters also refers to Art. 66 of the Road Traffic Law. And reminds: “In accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment, a motor vehicle is equipped with, among others: automatic windshield wipers in a number ensuring an adequate field of vision for the driver and a device for washing the windshield.” And he concludes:

“If the windshield is insufficiently maintained (muddy, dirty, not kept clean), the policeman may (but does not have to) carry out an investigation with the driver of the vehicle as to what is the reason for such circumstances,” he explained in a comment for Konkret24 r. pr. Dr. Eng. Jonatan Hasiewicz, legal advisor specializing in road traffic law.

This situation usually occurs not during a routine inspection, but after an accident or collision. “In other words, a driver with a dirty windshield causing a road accident or collision will suffer negative procedural consequences (offences) if such a circumstance is disclosed. In particular, if he did not have windshield washer fluid in the vehicle's reservoir and did not refill it due to the fact that he didn't have it in stock,” explained the lawyer. Dr. Eng. Jonatan Hasiewicz. As he pointed out, in this situation the police may actually impose a fine, referring to Art. 66 of the Road Traffic Law.