Polish police last week stepped up patrols on major roads as people headed off for traditional family gatherings during the festive season.
Amid the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, officials called on Poles to limit their travel plans and spend the Christmas break only with their immediate family.
Police say they stopped 511 drunk drivers from December 24 to 26.
During a similar period in previous years, the death toll and the total number of accidents on Polish roads were far higher, Robert Opas from the country’s General Police Headquarters (KGP) told public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency on Monday.
Poland’s president in the middle of this month greenlighted an initiative to tighten the country’s traffic laws in a bid to improve road safety.
Under new rules due to take effect in January, the maximum fine for traffic offenses in Poland will go up from PLN 5,000 (EUR 1,080, USD 1,225) to PLN 30,000 (EUR 6,500, USD 7,350).
(gs)
Source: IAR