Initiative details
One of the main road safety challenges we are addressing is the complete absence of mandatory motorway or expressway driving in the Polish driving license curriculum. As a result, many drivers encounter high-speed roads for the first time without any preparation, often leading to stress, poor decisions, and unsafe behaviour. This gap poses a serious risk not only to the new drivers themselves but also to other road users.
To address this, Autostrada Wielkopolska launched a groundbreaking, original programme that offers drivers the opportunity to practice motorway driving under the supervision of experienced driving school instructors. The aim is to build awareness, confidence, and responsibility when driving on high-speed roads. During practical sessions, learners train essential manoeuvres such as overtaking, lane changing, and merging into traffic.
We also focus on correcting the most frequent mistakes made by Polish drivers on motorways, such as inappropriate speed adjustment, lack of concentration, and failure to maintain a safe following distance. Participants are taught to communicate planned manoeuvres clearly, reduce speed before exits, and drive with foresight and consideration for others.
In addition, the programme promotes a broader road safety culture by educating drivers about trip planning, the importance of rest and breaks, and responsible parking—creating a new generation of drivers who are prepared to drive safely and knowledgeably on any European road.
To address this, Autostrada Wielkopolska launched a groundbreaking, original programme that offers drivers the opportunity to practice motorway driving under the supervision of experienced driving school instructors. The aim is to build awareness, confidence, and responsibility when driving on high-speed roads. During practical sessions, learners train essential manoeuvres such as overtaking, lane changing, and merging into traffic.
We also focus on correcting the most frequent mistakes made by Polish drivers on motorways, such as inappropriate speed adjustment, lack of concentration, and failure to maintain a safe following distance. Participants are taught to communicate planned manoeuvres clearly, reduce speed before exits, and drive with foresight and consideration for others.
In addition, the programme promotes a broader road safety culture by educating drivers about trip planning, the importance of rest and breaks, and responsible parking—creating a new generation of drivers who are prepared to drive safely and knowledgeably on any European road.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Car drivers
Car drivers – professional
Topic
Create awareness
Education in school or in community organizations
Knowledge building and sharing
Training
Organisation details
Autostrada Wielkopolska S.A.
Enterprise
Poland
Poznań/Greater Poland Voivodiship
Contact name
Anna Ciamciak
Telephone number
+48 690 416 465
a.ciamciak@awsa.pl
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
In the implementation of our programme, we work closely with several key external partners who play an essential role in achieving our road safety goals.
Driver Training Centers are among our most important partners. They are responsible for introducing motorway driving into the practical training of young people applying for a driving license. Their direct involvement ensures that learner drivers gain hands-on experience on the motorway under professional supervision.
Additionally, Centers for Improving Driving Techniques support our efforts by offering supplementary motorway training for licensed drivers who wish to enhance their skills and confidence on high-speed roads.
We also collaborate with the police to deliver educational lessons in secondary schools. These joint sessions focus on motorway safety rules, driver behavior, and the most common risks encountered on expressways.
The programme is supported by honorary patrons including the Marshal's Offices of the Wielkopolskie and Lubuskie Voivodeships and the National Road Safety Council (Krajowa Rada BRD), whose patronage significantly strengthens the credibility and visibility of the initiative at both regional and national levels.
These partnerships ensure that our initiative reaches a broad audience and has a lasting educational impact on drivers.
Driver Training Centers are among our most important partners. They are responsible for introducing motorway driving into the practical training of young people applying for a driving license. Their direct involvement ensures that learner drivers gain hands-on experience on the motorway under professional supervision.
Additionally, Centers for Improving Driving Techniques support our efforts by offering supplementary motorway training for licensed drivers who wish to enhance their skills and confidence on high-speed roads.
We also collaborate with the police to deliver educational lessons in secondary schools. These joint sessions focus on motorway safety rules, driver behavior, and the most common risks encountered on expressways.
The programme is supported by honorary patrons including the Marshal's Offices of the Wielkopolskie and Lubuskie Voivodeships and the National Road Safety Council (Krajowa Rada BRD), whose patronage significantly strengthens the credibility and visibility of the initiative at both regional and national levels.
These partnerships ensure that our initiative reaches a broad audience and has a lasting educational impact on drivers.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
As part of our programme, we have undertaken a wide range of educational activities aimed at improving road safety and preparing drivers—both new and experienced—for conscious, confident, and safe driving on motorways and expressways. One of the core components of the initiative is giving learners the opportunity to drive on a motorway accompanied by experienced driving school instructors. This hands-on training helps participants understand real-life motorway conditions and develop essential skills for high-speed driving.
To support this effort, we created a dedicated online platform, www.kursjazdynaautostradzie.pl, which serves as a comprehensive knowledge base for trainees, instructors, driving school owners, and any drivers wishing to improve their motorway driving skills. The platform includes both theoretical and practical guidance on how to behave on the motorway, educational videos demonstrating safe driving rules, and downloadable teaching materials used in driving schools.
We also developed a Facebook page for the programme, which shares daily tips and educational content, and a series of 10 instructional videos on YouTube explaining the key principles of safe motorway driving. Additionally, we have prepared printed and digital materials that are used during theoretical lessons in high schools, in cooperation with local police units. The overall goal of the programme is to educate a new generation of drivers who are better equipped to handle high-speed road environments safely and responsibly.
To support this effort, we created a dedicated online platform, www.kursjazdynaautostradzie.pl, which serves as a comprehensive knowledge base for trainees, instructors, driving school owners, and any drivers wishing to improve their motorway driving skills. The platform includes both theoretical and practical guidance on how to behave on the motorway, educational videos demonstrating safe driving rules, and downloadable teaching materials used in driving schools.
We also developed a Facebook page for the programme, which shares daily tips and educational content, and a series of 10 instructional videos on YouTube explaining the key principles of safe motorway driving. Additionally, we have prepared printed and digital materials that are used during theoretical lessons in high schools, in cooperation with local police units. The overall goal of the programme is to educate a new generation of drivers who are better equipped to handle high-speed road environments safely and responsibly.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
During the implementation of our programme, one of the key successes was building strong partnerships with Driver Training Centers located near the concession section of the A2 motorway in the Wielkopolskie and Lubuskie voivodeships. These collaborations were essential for delivering the practical motorway training component of the initiative. What worked particularly well was the positive reception from both instructors and driving school owners, who recognized the value of the programme in addressing a significant gap in current driver education. They appreciated the practical benefits for their students and highlighted the growing need for such training, given the continuous expansion of the motorway and expressway network in Poland.
However, one of the main challenges at the beginning was convincing the Driver Training Centers to adjust their routines and incorporate motorway driving into their standard training. Since driving on high-speed roads is not yet a mandatory part of the licensing process in Poland, some centers were initially hesitant. Over time, with clear communication, visible public support, and the endorsement of respected institutions—including the Marshals of Wielkopolskie and Lubuskie Districts, the Mayor of Poznań, and the National Traffic Safety Council—we successfully built trust and encouraged broad participation in the project.
However, one of the main challenges at the beginning was convincing the Driver Training Centers to adjust their routines and incorporate motorway driving into their standard training. Since driving on high-speed roads is not yet a mandatory part of the licensing process in Poland, some centers were initially hesitant. Over time, with clear communication, visible public support, and the endorsement of respected institutions—including the Marshals of Wielkopolskie and Lubuskie Districts, the Mayor of Poznań, and the National Traffic Safety Council—we successfully built trust and encouraged broad participation in the project.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
To evaluate the impact of the initiative Kurs jazdy na autostradzie, we applied a mix of digital analytics, user feedback, and media monitoring. Website analytics showed a steady growth in traffic, with over 35,000 unique users visiting the site. The average time spent on the course page exceeded 2 minutes, indicating user engagement with the content.
We also monitored social media performance related to the campaign. Posts promoting the initiative on platforms such as Facebook and Youtube reached over 2 720 000 users, with high engagement rates, especially among younger drivers (aged 18–30). Several driving schools shared the course, expanding its visibility further.
To gather qualitative insights, we used short feedback forms among cooperating training centers and young drivers. Out of over 250 respondents, over 90% found the course helpful or very helpful, and many appreciated the clarity and practical nature of the lessons. We also received unsolicited positive messages via email and social media, confirming the relevance of the initiative.
The surveys made by ARC Rynek i Opinia [Market and Opinion] preceding the launching of the "Motorway Driving Lessons" (2020) project show that 66 percent of drivers make mistakes when driving on the motorway. Most respondents admit that they had no opportunity to learn how to drive on this type of road during their driving lessons before taking the driving license exam. It is true that driving on the motorway requires the drivers to remain extremely alert, focused and to be able to divide their attention. Optical illusion at exit with the need to lose speed, proper use of the acceleration lane or special layout of interchanges - these are but some of the situations that are absent on other roads but have to be faced by drivers on the motorway. Interestingly, there is common interest among Polish drivers in additional free driving lessons. As many as 80 percent of the drivers declare they are interested in learning the proper motorway driving techniques. The need for such training is also visible among those persons who intend to take the driving license exam. Here, 79 percent of respondents expressed their interest in additional driving lessons.
In summary, a combination of statistics, user engagement metrics, and direct feedback has demonstrated that the initiative effectively raised awareness and improved knowledge about safe motorway driving among young and inexperienced drivers in our region.
We also monitored social media performance related to the campaign. Posts promoting the initiative on platforms such as Facebook and Youtube reached over 2 720 000 users, with high engagement rates, especially among younger drivers (aged 18–30). Several driving schools shared the course, expanding its visibility further.
To gather qualitative insights, we used short feedback forms among cooperating training centers and young drivers. Out of over 250 respondents, over 90% found the course helpful or very helpful, and many appreciated the clarity and practical nature of the lessons. We also received unsolicited positive messages via email and social media, confirming the relevance of the initiative.
The surveys made by ARC Rynek i Opinia [Market and Opinion] preceding the launching of the "Motorway Driving Lessons" (2020) project show that 66 percent of drivers make mistakes when driving on the motorway. Most respondents admit that they had no opportunity to learn how to drive on this type of road during their driving lessons before taking the driving license exam. It is true that driving on the motorway requires the drivers to remain extremely alert, focused and to be able to divide their attention. Optical illusion at exit with the need to lose speed, proper use of the acceleration lane or special layout of interchanges - these are but some of the situations that are absent on other roads but have to be faced by drivers on the motorway. Interestingly, there is common interest among Polish drivers in additional free driving lessons. As many as 80 percent of the drivers declare they are interested in learning the proper motorway driving techniques. The need for such training is also visible among those persons who intend to take the driving license exam. Here, 79 percent of respondents expressed their interest in additional driving lessons.
In summary, a combination of statistics, user engagement metrics, and direct feedback has demonstrated that the initiative effectively raised awareness and improved knowledge about safe motorway driving among young and inexperienced drivers in our region.
What has been the effect of the activities?
The activities undertaken as part of the programme have had a significant and measurable impact on road safety education in Poland. Since its launch, over 2,000 drivers have received training, and more than 1,000 secondary school students in Poznań and Gorzów Wielkopolski have been educated on motorway driving rules. The programme has achieved substantial digital outreach, reaching 2 720 000 users on Facebook and YouTube, and growing its Facebook follower base to 4,700. The website, kursjazdynaautostradzie.pl, attracted over 35,000 visitors, indicating strong public interest. A key aspect of the initiative is its open-source educational materials, allowing driving schools and individuals across Poland to freely access and use the content. This openness has led to engagement from driving centres in cities like Łódź and Gdańsk. The programme also maintains a strong presence at local road safety events, offering hands-on learning through a motorway simulator. Since 2022, more than 5,000 people have been educated using the simulator. Overall, the combination of direct education, online reach, and community engagement demonstrates that the programme has significantly increased awareness and understanding of motorway safety.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Our initiative is a strong example of improving road safety because it addresses a critical gap in driver education in Poland—namely, the lack of obligatory practical training on motorways or expressways during the driving license course. As a result, many drivers experience these high-speed roads for the first time without prior preparation. To solve this, Autostrada Wielkopolska launched a groundbreaking project that allows learner drivers to practice motorway driving under the supervision of experienced instructors. Participants learn key skills such as overtaking, lane changes, merging, and maintaining safe distances. We also focus on correcting the most common mistakes made on Polish motorways: speeding, lack of focus, and tailgating.
Beyond practical training, we promote broader driving culture, educate on trip planning, the importance of rest and breaks, and responsible parking. More than 2,000 drivers and over 1,000 students have already taken part. Our motorway simulator, used by over 5,000 people, offers hands-on education at road safety events. The online platform www.kursjazdynaautostradzie.pl supports the initiative by offering open-source training materials, videos, and guidance for drivers and driving schools nationwide. With over 4 million reached online in 2024 and national interest growing, this programme is setting a new standard for safer, more conscious driving .
Beyond practical training, we promote broader driving culture, educate on trip planning, the importance of rest and breaks, and responsible parking. More than 2,000 drivers and over 1,000 students have already taken part. Our motorway simulator, used by over 5,000 people, offers hands-on education at road safety events. The online platform www.kursjazdynaautostradzie.pl supports the initiative by offering open-source training materials, videos, and guidance for drivers and driving schools nationwide. With over 4 million reached online in 2024 and national interest growing, this programme is setting a new standard for safer, more conscious driving .
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Information about our project and its results has been widely shared through a combination of media coverage, online platforms, educational events, and partnerships with local stakeholders. At the launch of the programme, it received extensive media attention, with over 530 publications in national and regional outlets within the first five months, reaching more than 7 million people. This broad exposure significantly increased recognition of the initiative across the country.
We actively communicate through our online platform, www.kursjazdynaautostradzie.pl, which offers free educational resources, videos, and teaching materials for drivers and driving schools. In 2024 alone, the project reached 4 million users via Facebook and YouTube, and the website attracted over 35,000 unique visitors. Our Facebook community continues to grow, with over 4,700 followers.
We also regularly participate in local road safety events, where attendees can learn through talks and our motorway simulator, which has already been used by over 5,000 people since 2022. These activities have made the initiative well-known locally and regionally, and it continues to gain national visibility, with driving schools from Łódź, Gdańsk, and other regions joining the programme.
In recognition of its impact, in 2024 the programme received the “Lider Społecznej Odpowiedzialności Biznesu” award as part of the Złota Setka Województwa Wielkopolskiego, and was nominated in the “Firma Roku – Partner Bezpieczeństwa Ruchu Drogowego” category, as well as in the prestigious “Polish CSR Awards 2024.”
We actively communicate through our online platform, www.kursjazdynaautostradzie.pl, which offers free educational resources, videos, and teaching materials for drivers and driving schools. In 2024 alone, the project reached 4 million users via Facebook and YouTube, and the website attracted over 35,000 unique visitors. Our Facebook community continues to grow, with over 4,700 followers.
We also regularly participate in local road safety events, where attendees can learn through talks and our motorway simulator, which has already been used by over 5,000 people since 2022. These activities have made the initiative well-known locally and regionally, and it continues to gain national visibility, with driving schools from Łódź, Gdańsk, and other regions joining the programme.
In recognition of its impact, in 2024 the programme received the “Lider Społecznej Odpowiedzialności Biznesu” award as part of the Złota Setka Województwa Wielkopolskiego, and was nominated in the “Firma Roku – Partner Bezpieczeństwa Ruchu Drogowego” category, as well as in the prestigious “Polish CSR Awards 2024.”
