Tightening penalties for speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol and participating in illegal races – these are just some of the changes expected this year. There are also plans to create a register of people with a lifetime driving ban and to introduce mechanisms to facilitate the enforcement of penalties. What changes may await drivers in 2025?
Recently, many media reported that a new tariff will be in force from January, providing for higher fines, among others, for speeding, but these reports were denied by both the Ministry of Affairs and Administration and the Police – explained TVN24 reporter Natalia Madejska.
As she recalled, the government's announcement shows that “2025 is to be the year of fighting the plague of safety violations on Polish roads.” – Hence, a number of proposals presented in November by the heads of the ministries of justice, interior affairs and administration, as well as infrastructure – she said.
Read also: Five thousand for driving 30 km over the speed limit? There is a police station
Proposed changes for drivers in 2025
Proposed changes to driver regulations for 2025 are as follows:
- higher penalties for causing a fatal accident (if it was the result of a race, reckless driving or the perpetrator was banned from driving),
- higher penalties for driving despite a court ban (including the possibility of imposing such a ban for life),
- suspension of driving license for speeding by over 50 km/h also outside built-up areas (does not apply to expressways and motorways),
- no possibility of reducing penalty points for serious violations of regulations,
- new crime type: organization and participation in illegal car races,
- higher third party liability insurance rates for those taking part in illegal races,
- new type of offense: drift,
- higher sanctions for grossly dangerous driving,
- tougher penalties for drunk drivers,
- possibility of obtaining a driving license from the age of 17 (with restrictions).
The government is responsible for enforcing penalties
Road safety expert Arkadiusz Kuzio on TVN24 emphasized that it is also necessary to ensure that the penalties imposed are enforced.
– We cannot forget about the inevitability of punishment. Only this makes the driver think and change his behavior on the road. If we repeatedly commit offenses, we will not receive any penalty, we will not incur any fines and we will not pay – therefore, what really disciplines us in life, namely the loss of a driving license and a high fine – said Kuzio.
According to the government's announcement, for this purpose the services are to be equipped with tools that will make it easier to reach such people. – We are also considering whether such a public, open register of people with lifelong driving bans should be created, because we know that many people get behind the wheel despite these bans – added Madejska on TVN24.
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