World Bank: Speed cameras will save Poland money and lives

Photo: wikipedia

Last year, some 3500 people died as a result of accidents on Polish roads, and the authors of the report stress that Poland is slower in tackling the problem than other EU countries.

Poland has considerably fewer speed cameras than other EU countries. However, report co-author Radoslaw Czapski has stressed that new cameras need to be accompanied by higher fines.

“Nothing is more effective in mobilising drivers to conform with regulations than high fines,” he told business daily Puls Biznesu.

The World Bank report highlights the vast costs incurred as a result of road accidents.

The National Road Safety Council has estimated the costs at 20 billion zloty (4.74 billion euro) per year. This sum principally covers medical expenses of the injured, and insurance costs for both survivors and casualties (costs of vehicle damage are not included).

Nevertheless, proposals by the government earlier this year to increase the number of speed cameras proved controversial.

Czapski has argued that education programmes are needed “to show that driving in accordance with regulations really does improve safety.” (nh)