Polish drink-drivers could have cars confiscated

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

WARSAW (AFP) — Polish motorists who drink then get behind the wheel may have their cars confiscated under plans to crack down on the growing problem of drink-drivers, Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro said.

"The changes in the law have to hit offenders financially," Ziobro told a news conference.

Under changes to the penal code being prepared by the justice ministry, drivers will have their vehicle permanently taken away if they cause a serious accident while they have more than 0.2 grammes of alcohol per litre of blood.

They face the same penalty if they are found to have over one gram of alcohol in a litre of blood, or if a motorist who has previously been punished for drink-driving, reoffends.

In 2005, police detained 178,668 motorists who were...