An influencer bypassed a strict vehicle ban to drive his sports car eight kilometers toward Morskie Oko last Friday, receiving a nominal 100 PLN fine despite potential penalties reaching 5,000 PLN.
Illegal Entry into Protected Area
On Friday evening, a Ukrainian influencer drove his sports car along the asphalt route leading to Morskie Oko, disregarding the absolute prohibition on vehicle traffic within the protected Tatra National Park. After reaching his destination, he posed for photos with his partner before driving back along the same restricted path.
The man was eventually stopped by police while exiting the park at Polana w Palenicy. Officers issued him a 100 PLN fine and assessed eight penalty points against his driving record.
Discrepancy in Fine Amount
Zakopane police spokesperson Roman Wieczorek confirmed to PAP that the legal fine for this violation ranges from 20 PLN to 5,000 PLN. Despite the high upper limit, the officers on the scene chose to apply the minimum penalty of 100 PLN.
The situation sparked significant outrage on social media, with internet users criticizing the disproportionately low penalty for violating environmental protections. The Tatra National Park administration stated they were unaware of the intrusion until photos were published online.
Influencer’s Response and Apology
Following the backlash, the influencer apologized, claiming he misinterpreted warnings about access to the lake. He explained that he and his partner decided to drive because friends had told them it was impossible to reach the site by car.
The man remarked that perhaps the “unique” photo was worth the 100 PLN, though he added that if he could turn back time, he would have chosen to hike to Morskie Oko instead.
