Starting September 1, 2026, changes to the road traffic law will take effect in Slovakia. These changes will directly affect pedestrians. The main point is that drivers will be required to yield to pedestrians who are about to step onto a crosswalk. Pedestrians themselves will be fined up to €50 for using a smartphone while crossing the road.
These changes are part of a large reform to make roads safer and reduce the number of accidents. Here are the details on what pedestrians and drivers should prepare for.
What is changing for pedestrians: more advantages, but also more responsibility
The most important change is priority at pedestrian crossings. Previously, a driver had to yield to a pedestrian who had already stepped onto the "zebra crossing." Now, the rules are expanding.
A driver must yield to a pedestrian not only when they are already walking on the crossing, but also when it is obvious from their behavior that they are about to cross the road (zjavne sa chystá vstúpiť). This means drivers will have to be more careful when approaching crossings and reduce their speed in advance to be able to stop safely.
At the same time, this does not mean pedestrians can step onto the road without looking. As before, the law prohibits suddenly stepping onto the roadway without making sure it is safe. Before stepping onto the crossing, you must assess the speed and distance of approaching vehicles.
Smartphone ban: what is forbidden and how much you will have to pay
The second important change is a direct ban on using mobile phones and other electronic devices while crossing the road. The rule aims to combat the issue of pedestrians not noticing danger because they are looking at their screens.
What exactly is forbidden?
The law prohibits using a device in a way that reduces the pedestrian's ability to monitor the traffic situation. In practice, this means the ban applies to:
Writing or reading messages.
Viewing social media and videos.
Playing games on the phone.
Any other activity that requires looking at the screen instead of the road.
However, the law does not prohibit simply holding a phone in your hand or talking on it by holding it to your ear, as long as you are not distracted from the road.
What is the fine for violation?
If a pedestrian uses a smartphone on a crossing and it distracts them, the police can issue a fine. The amount is up to €50 if paid on the spot (as part of a block procedure). If the case goes to an administrative review, the amount can increase to €100.
New duties for drivers
The changes affect not only pedestrians. Drivers now have more responsibility for safety at crossings. The main duties are:
Reduce speed: When approaching a pedestrian crossing, a driver is obliged to drive in such a way that they can stop in time and yield to a pedestrian.
Be attentive: A driver must monitor not only the roadway but also the sidewalk near the crossing to notice a pedestrian's intention to cross the road in advance.
Police say that a kind of "non-verbal communication" is expected between drivers and pedestrians – eye contact or gestures that will help avoid dangerous situations. The new rules, as Slovak media report, are part of a general European trend to strengthen the protection of the most vulnerable road users.
