Legislation promises longer prison terms, stiffer fines for impaired drivers
Under the new draft legislation proposed by Sejm all drivers found driving
while intoxicated or using drugs will face two years in prison or even lose
their drivers license permanently if they cause an accident where anybody is
killed. So far, the Polish courts have been very lenient on drunk drivers.
When the law takes effect the offenders will also be obliged to pay damages,
which will subsidize a fund to help victims of drunk drivers. The fine will
be at least three to even a hundred times as much as the damage costs. The
draft is now awaiting the Senate's approval and will later return to Sejm
and finally to the President to be ratified. (Zycie, Apr.15-16, page 1, 5)
J.K.
