Don't get me wrong, Poland is a fabulous country with beautiful cities, wondrous histories and a great place to shop if need be (one Polish zloty = around 3 Australian dollars), but the driving in Poland is not a relaxing past time.
Driving in Poland
While the driving rules are similar to Australia, most Polish drivers don't seem to adhere to the speed limit especially in urban areas. A pedestrian crossing doesn't automatically mean that cars will stop if there is someone about to cross or crossing, and pedestrian crossings in designated 70kph areas have no lights and most drivers exceed the speed limit.
On single lane roads (one lane each way) drivers overtake even if there is oncoming traffic. Apparently, slower vehicles can move to the side of the road to let others pass but overtaking drivers expect oncoming traffic to do the same.....we saw so many near head on misses. Lots of road signs are placed on roads stating warning with a head on crash symbol or a rear end crash symbol!
Loo Tax
Aussies have the freedom to relieve themselves wherever public toilets are found WITHOUT searching their wallets for small change to pay for the privilege. Not so in Poland, or in other European countries for that matter. Even fast food restaurants have someone collecting or a turnstile. The rates escalate with the venue - tourist areas are worse with humongous WC signs only to be meet with a tax of approximately 2-3 Aussie dollars a wee. There is a price list - cubicles are dearer, urinals are cheaper.
In fact, at the Salt Mines in Kraków there was a big sign saying FREE TOILET even with an attendant servicing the facility.
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