Safety Analysis Pedestrian Crossings in Poland After the Regulations Change in 2021

(1) Background: This paper presents the results of analyzes of the level of pedestrian safety after introducing changes to road traffic law for vulnerable road users. The relationship between drivers and pedestrians is important for the sustainable development of road transport, where more and more emphasis is being placed on the privileged position of pedestrians and cyclists. (2) Methods: The study covered the number of injured and fatalities in road accidents in Poland from 2001 to 2022, divided into pedestrians on and off crossings, and drivers and passengers. (3) Results: The improvement in road safety over the last two decades has been significant as the number of road accident victims in Poland has almost tripled. The safety of pedestrians, as vulnerable road users, has improved to a greater extent than that of other road users. In relation to the general road situation, safety at pedestrian crossings has deteriorated. (4) Conclusions: The analyzes show that the change in regulations did not significantly reduce the number of accidents at pedestrian crossings. It turned out that the introduced legal regulations had a certain effect in large cities. Moreover, the paper examines the impact of improving road infrastructure (construction of expressways) on the number of pedestrian victims. The results of this analysis indicate a faster decline in the number of pedestrian victims in counties where modern road solutions are being developed.