20 killed on roads over All Saints' weekend
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
03.11.2014 10:25
20 people were killed on roads across Poland from Friday to Sunday, as Poles marked the national holiday of All Saints.
Photo: PAP/Jacek Turczyk
252 people were injured in 196 road accidents, and 910 people were arrested for drink driving.
8 pedestrians were among the 20 fatalities.
“Autumn is a time when more pedestrians die on roads, partly as a result of darkness falling earlier,” commented police spokesman Mariusz Sokolowski in an interview with Polish Radio.
He noted that while pedestrians are obliged to wear reflective gear in non built-up areas, this practice is largely disregarded.
Sokolowski claimed that visibility is increased “several times” by reflective apparel.
Efforts to keep accidents to a minimum were made through Operation Torch, with 20,000 policeman patrolling the vicinities of cemeteries across Poland.
By custom, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (1 and 2 November) see families travel to the graves of loved ones to pay respects. Lanterns are lit and wreaths laid.
Technically, more people died on the roads last year (38), although the All Saints' Day weekend lasted an extra day in 2013. (nh)