Poland police intensify crackdown on illegal e‑scooters, drunk driving and banned drivers

Polish police carried out a series of traffic control operations across several regions in July 2026. In Mazovia, a 16‑year‑old was stopped on an electric scooter after performing dangerous maneuvers on a provincial road, prompting a court‑family decision and a safety appeal to parents. In the same period, a 41‑year‑old driver from Ostrołęka was detained for having nearly half a promile of alcohol in his system despite believing he was sober.

In Gdańsk, a 42‑year‑old cyclist riding with a phone was arrested, leading investigators to uncover his status as a wanted person and possession of psychotropic substances. In Wałbrzych, two men drove the same car while under court‑imposed driving bans; one had a lifetime ban and was found with a blood‑alcohol level of 0.37 ‰. A 50‑year‑old bus driver in Chełm was caught with a blood‑alcohol level of three promiles while subject to two lifetime driving bans, resulting in a three‑month pre‑trial detention.

A vice‑commander of the Territorial Defense Forces was detained for high‑level alcohol intoxication during a routine road check, raising questions about military disciplinary procedures. In Kutno, officers recovered a stolen Mercedes, arresting a 21‑year‑old driver who lacked a licence, was over the legal alcohol limit, and had three teenage passengers and illegal drugs in the vehicle.

Separately, a city‑wide "e‑Bike" operation in Warsaw inspected 325 electric scooters and bikes, issuing 74 fines totaling over 30 000 PLN, identifying speed‑limit tampering, intoxicated riders, and three wanted individuals. The coordinated actions underscore a broader effort to enforce road safety laws and curb illegal vehicle use.