Despite the law coming into effect, the absence of implementing regulations has raised questions about the law's practical application, Polish media have reported.
Deputy Justice Minister Arkadiusz Myrcha, has indicated plans to modify these provisions, potentially making vehicle forfeiture optional rather than mandatory.
Under the current rules, drivers found with at least 0.15 percent of alcohol in their blood face automatic vehicle forfeiture, with the same penalty applicable to drivers causing accidents or posing imminent danger with more than 0.1 percent blood alcohol content.
The law also allows for the possibility of vehicle forfeiture for drivers with alcohol levels between 0.05 and 0.1 percent, depending on the circumstances, including cases of repeat traffic offenders.
The enforcement process involves the temporary seizure of the vehicle by the police, followed by the prosecutor's decision on securing the property, and ultimately, the court's ruling on forfeiture.
If the vehicle cannot be confiscated due to it being sold, destroyed, or co-owned, the court may order the forfeiture of the vehicle's equivalent value, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Data from the Police Headquarters highlights the severity of drunk driving in Poland, with 1,331 alcohol-related traffic accidents reported in 2023, including 189 fatalities.
The introduction of these new laws has garnered significant public support, with a survey by the rankomat.pl website revealing that 67 percent of Poles favor vehicle confiscation for drunk driving.
(jh/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP
Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Michał Owczarek.