Road deaths blight holiday period in Poland
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
07.01.2014 11:17
Twenty-five people were killed as a result of car accidents in Poland over the long weekend that accompanied the Epiphany national holiday, as the government mulls over new plans to crackdown on drunk drivers.
The scene of an accident in Lodz, central Poland, where who pedestrians were killed after a drunk tram-driver allegedly went through a red light. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Michalowski
Simultaneously, as many as 736 motorists were arresting for driving under the influence of alcohol, as the government prepares for a crackdown on drink driving.
One of the worst accidents occurred on Monday in Lodz, central Poland, where a drunk tram driver allegedly went through a red light on a zebra crossing, crashed into a car and killed two pedestrians.
A third pedestrian is currently in hospital, and the tram driver could face up to twelve years in prison.
Drunks
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Donald Tusk is holding the first cabinet meeting of 2014 today, with drink driving topping the agenda.
A car crash apparently caused by a drunk driver on New Year's Day caused the death of six pedestrians in Kamien Pomorski, northern Poland, prompting politicians from all major parties to call for reforms.
The Ministry of Justice has indicated that among other solutions, it will call for a reduction in the amount of suspended sentences for drink drivers, with offenders instead heading straight to jail.
About 162,000 people were arrested for drink driving in 2013, and about 34,400 people died in road accidents.
Although the statistics have been gradually improving over the last three years, by European standards, Poland is still lagging behind. (nh)
Source: PAP