Poland to toughen railway crossing penalties after fatal accident

Following a fatal railway accident in Sokolniki Suche, the Polish government has announced plans to radically tighten penalties for drivers who violate railway crossing regulations. The collision, involving a truck and a passenger train traveling from Lublin to Szczecin, resulted in one death and approximately 20 injuries.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the need for urgent legislative action to address systematic violations of safety rules at crossings. Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak stated that the government is preparing emergency measures, including a proposal to suspend the driving licenses of any driver who enters a railway crossing while the red light is active for a period of three months.

The proposed changes are intended to serve as a strong deterrent and will be presented to the Council of Ministers for consultation in the coming week. The ministry is also working in coordination with the Ministry of Justice to potentially amend the Penal Code in response to the tragedy.