Depending on the country in which we drive the car, we will be covered by various regulations regarding the mandatory equipment of the car. First aid kit, fire extinguisher or reflective vest is required in some countries, and not in others.
Warning triangle and mandatory fire extinguisher in Poland
In Poland, in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment of December 31, 2002, each vehicle should be equipped with a fire extinguisher and warning triangle with the approval mark. Lack of a fire extinguisher may result in a mandate for 20 to even 500 PLN. A police officer may also issue a ticket if the fire extinguisher is not in a place where it is easy to access, so do not keep it in the trunk. Interestingly, we will not receive a mandate if it has already expired. However, fire extinguishers should be inspected at least once a year. The extinguishing agent content must not be less than 1 kilogram. The absence of a fire extinguisher may also contribute to the negative result of the vehicle's technical inspection.
Mandatory in every car must also be a warning triangle - importantly, it must have valid approval. - According to the current tariff, for failing to signal or improper signaling of a vehicle stop due to its damage or accident, 150 zlotys will be imposed - says Kleczka, representative of the Cyanosis system operator. The triangle must also be a marked vehicle that is being towed - in the absence of this marking; the driver will receive a fine of 150 zlotys.
Do you need to have a first aid kit?
In Poland, having a first aid kit in a car is not necessary, but it is a thing that can come in handy. For the safety of others and your own, it is worth having it in the car. It is worth investing in a first aid kit, which will be equipped with: bandages, gas compresses, patches with and without dressing, a tourniquet, disinfectant, a mouthpiece for artificial respiration, protective gloves, a triangular scarf, a heat-insulating blanket, scissors, safety pins, as well as instructions for giving first aid. It is worth noting that while the average driver has no obligation to carry a first aid kit, it is already mandatory for those who transport people - so it must be in taxis, buses, and even in cars belonging to driving schools.
What else can be useful?
A useful element of the equipment will certainly be a reflective vest, which takes up little space, and can be helpful in the event of an accident or the need to make a minor repair on the roadside - such as changing the wheel. It is good to have tools at hand that will allow us to do it ourselves.
Among the additional equipment, the towing rope is worth mentioning. On the road, we may also need help from other drivers who may warn us, against traffic jams or a place where it is easy to get a ticket. Some drivers therefore use CB radio or its mobile alternative for Smartphone. It is also worth remembering to have an additional set of bulbs in your car. It is not an obligatory piece of reflective equipment, but for driving without the required lights, you can receive from PLN 100 to PLN 300 mandate, so it is good to have spare bulbs in your bag.