Poles can anticipate a revolution in fire protection regulations. The government, afraid about the expanding number of fires caused by recklessness, prepares drastic exacerbation of penalties. Soon, for acts threatening fire safety, a fine can scope into unimaginable PLN 30,000and even the regulation of freedom will be threatened. This is no longer symbolic mandates and instruction. The revision of the Code of Offence has 1 goal: effectively deterring irresponsible behaviours that consume millions of zlotys each year and, worse, endanger lives.
The bill (UD243), which the Ministry of Justice is working on, is simply a consequence to the increasing problem. The current regulations, including the commonly applied punishment of reprimand, have proved to be completely ineffective in the fight against the plague of fires. In 2023 the State Fire Department noted more than 130 000 interventions related to fires, a crucial part of which resulted from human indifference. Now, anyone who ignores safety rules must face consequences that will not only affect his wallet but besides individual freedom.
Why do punishments increase? No more chasing.
The Ministry of Justice leaves no illusions: existing legislation, and especially reprimand punishmentthey did not execute a deterrent function. It was a sanction so mild that in practice it frequently came down to instruction, without causing any reflection on the perpetrators. This impunity was expected to lead to repeated dangerous behaviours, and consequently to subsequent fires. The Ministry emphasises that the aim of the amendment is to Strengthening prevention and increase awareness of work for your own actions. alternatively of symbolic admonition, now perpetrators can anticipate real, severe consequences.
The introduction of a punishment for restrictions on freedom, alongside detention and fine, is intended to signal that the State is treating fire offences with the highest seriousness. Restrictions on freedom may consist in the performance of unpaid, controlled work for social purposes or the deduction of part of the remuneration for work. This solution is intended to affect especially those who persist in ignoring safety rules, and the erstwhile penalties have not been effective. The government hopes that specified a combination of financial and individual sanctions will effectively reduce reckless behaviorWhich leads to tragedy.
New rates: PLN 30,000 and then what?
A key change in the draft is to increase the maximum fine for infringements under Article 82(1) to (5) of the Code of Offence. Up-to-date advanced limit PLN 5 000 will be replaced by shocking PLN 30,000. It's a six-fold increase that truly hurts. New, tightened penalties will include a wide catalogue of acts that straight endanger fire safety. Among them are:
- Fire hazard – e.g. by irresponsible usage of heating or electrical equipment.
- Failure to supply fire protection conditions – this applies to both property owners and property managers who do not comply with the required standards and reviews.
- Lighting and smoking outside the designated place – especially in forests, fields or public places where there is simply a advanced hazard of fire spreading.
- Burning grass and vegetable residues – this is 1 of the most common reasons for fires, and at the same time the most reckless actions. The fine for this act can be applied maximum ceiling – PLN 30 thousand.
- Carelessness With Fire – any action which, although not intentional, can lead to a fire, e.g. leaving an unbreakable fire or cigarette.
The introduction of specified advanced penalties is to be a clear signal that the state will not tolerate negligence and irresponsibility on fire safety issues. Any action that may origin a fire will now be subject to the hazard of a gigantic financial penalty.
Mandates go up too! How much will you pay on the spot?
The changes will affect not only the penalties imposed by courts, but besides those imposed by criminal mandate. The amendment to the Code of Conduct in criminal matters provides for a crucial increase in the limits of fines that officers may impose at the scene. To date limit 500 PLN for 1 offense will be raised to PLN 5 000. If respective offences have been committed by 1 act, the mandate may even be PLN 6,000, compared to the current PLN 1,000.
This means that even for a single, irresponsible behavior, specified as throwing cigaret butt at a place threatened by fire or setting fire outside the designated area, an immediate, severe financial punishment is expected. This amendment aims to increase the efficiency of the field's uniformed services and to respond rapidly to insignificant but possibly dangerous offences. No more "mandate to comfort" – now all recklessness will have its price, and not small.
The planned amendment is an unprecedented step towards expanding fire safety in Poland. The changes that will enter into force after the passing of the bill are intended not only to punish, but above all, effective deterrence From dangerous behavior. Increase of fines to PLN 30,000, the introduction of a punishment for restrictions on freedom and the drastic increase in mandates are a clear signal from the government: there are no jokes about fire safety. The burning of grasses, careless handling of fire, or neglecting of fire protection will now be severely punished. It is in the interests of all of us that these fresh regulations contribute to reduced number of fires and more effective protection of life and property.
Read more:
You got a cut? For burning grass you will pay PLN 30,000! The government is exacerbating punishment.
