W Krakow was detained by a 27-year-old Ukrainian citizen who was driving a taxi, driving through the city at 155 km/h in a place where the allowed velocity was 70 km/h. The man was intoxicated, and the test showed that he had over 1.3 blood alcohol. The detention took place on Leipzig Street as part of the “TAXI” action organised by the Department of Road Traffic of the Municipal Police office in Krakow.
Lost driver's licence and drunkenness
A detained driver, despite working as a taxi driver, had a driver's licence retained for exceeding the punishment point limit since June 2024. This means that he was travelling in a vehicle without permission. The case goes to court, and the driver may face severe legal consequences. Offences related to driving in an intoxicated state are a serious problem, especially in the context of road safety in Poland.
Migrants in Poland and Crime
In the context of this case, the question arises: do foreigners in Poland feel unpunished? According to data from the Police office (KGP), 17,278 cases of crimes committed by foreigners were recorded in 2023. This is an increase of 2.4 1000 compared to 2022, and this number is 5 times higher than a decade ago. The most crimes were committed by Ukrainian citizens, representing over 50% of foreigners with allegations. Georgia (more than 2.7 thousand) and Belarus (more than a 1000 cases) followed.
The Problem of Intoxicated Drivers
Experts emphasize that the problem of sober drivers, both Polish and foreign, is simply a immense challenge for law enforcement authorities in Poland. There are hundreds of accidents each year caused by people driving alcohol. Many of these cases end tragically, frequently with the death of the participants.
It should be noted that Polish law severely punishes for driving in an intoxicated state. Drivers are facing advanced fines, long-term detention of driving licences and imprisonment. In the case of foreigners, the anticipation of deportation and the ban on entering Poland is an additional threat.
Preventive actions and the request to tighten up controls
In consequence to the expanding number of crimes committed by professional drivers, The police are introducing various preventive measures. The ‘TAXI’ action, which detains the 27-year-old driver, aims to increase road safety by monitoring the sobriety and compliance of road traffic rules among drivers offering transport services.
However, the question remains whether the current government and preventive action are sufficient. The increase in the number of crimes committed by foreigners, including professional drivers, indicates the request to tighten up controls and penalties. expanding patrols, more frequent sobriety checks and cooperation with transport companies can aid to improve the situation.
Summary
Stopping an intoxicated taxi driver from Ukraine, who moved around Krakow at excessive speed, is just 1 of many examples of problems posed by inebriation among drivers. In the face of the expanding number of crimes committed by foreigners, Poland must look for more effective legal and preventive solutions. Absolute enforcement, tightening of penalties and cooperation with transport companies can be key elements in the fight against this problem.
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A drunk Ukrainian with a suspended driver's licence drove 155 km/h in the streets of Krakow
