A 76‑year‑old woman driving a Fiat was intercepted after going the wrong way on the S7 expressway from Radom to Warsaw on Monday, prompting a swift police intervention.
Wrong‑Way Driving Risks
Failing to follow traffic signs can endanger not only the driver but also other road users. A vehicle traveling against the flow – “the wrong way” – catches oncoming traffic by surprise, creating hazardous situations.
Police Response
Police in Piaseczno received calls reporting a blue Fiat moving against the flow on the S7 expressway toward Warsaw. Responding patrols set up block‑and‑control points while officers from the Piaseczno Motorway Police headed toward Tarczyn.
The driver was stopped between the Tarczyn junction and Grzędy. Police seized her licence and collected documentation, noting a clear violation of traffic rules.
The Incident
The 76‑year‑old, clearly confused, told officers that she had left Radom with a friend and did not realize she was on the Warsaw‑bound stretch. She recognised at one point that she was driving illegally but could not find an off‑ramps and was unable to turn back.
Despite horn blasts and flashing lights, the driver did not heed warnings and continued driving.
Legal Consequences
Her licence was confiscated, and the case will proceed to court.
Safety Message for Seniors
Families of elderly drivers should assess whether age, health, and psychophysical abilities still make it safe for them to drive. Vision, hearing, reflexes, and concentration decline with age, requiring careful evaluation and possibly limiting driving to short, familiar routes.
