The causes of the accident are inactive under investigation, but the findings so far show that Krzysztof Ł. was driving at a velocity exceeding 120 km/h, resulting in failure of control of the vehicle. The Toyota car, led by the director, pierced the railings and drove into the other lane, causing carambool.
The consequences of the accident were tragic. A 10-year-old girl, Hania, died instantly, and six people, including her parents and younger brother, were seriously injured. The girl’s mother, Emilia, relates about the trauma she suffered after the accident: “Since the accident, I have been on tranquilizers all the time. I lost my daughter. After that you can’t live usually and pretend that nothing happened.”
The court proceedings in the case of Krzysztof Ł. are pending. The manager was accused of careless driving, resulting in a road accident. In April 2024 the court imposed a ban on the driving of motor vehicles, but a fewer months later the ban was repealed. Krzysztof Ł. argued that the ban hinders his regular functioning, and the results of intellectual studies were to confirm the deficiency of contraindications to driving.
Statistics indicate that road accidents are 1 of the most common causes of death and injuries in Poland. In 2022, there were 23,747 road accidents in which 2,346 people died and 26,131 were injured. Road safety is 1 of the most crucial problems that society and authorities face.
The ratification of the Convention on Road Traffic by Poland in 2016 was a step towards improving road safety. The Convention requires States Parties to implement and enforce road rules and to educate drivers and pedestrians on road safety.
The conclusions of this tragic accident are clear. Road safety is simply a precedence and drivers must be aware of the risks and comply with road rules. The authorities must besides do everything possible to improve road safety, including educating drivers and pedestrians, monitoring the state of the roads and punishing road accident perpetrators.
