Huge police operation all over Poland. The so-called "Candle" action is taking place each year on All Saints' Day, as Poles are visiting cemeteries to pay respects to their dearest. Thousands of police officers are on a mission to patrol and secure the roads. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, at least 19 people lost their lives in accidents since Wendesday.
The last update on the "Candle" operation has been announced by Officer Dawid Marciniak from the General Police Heaqurters (KGP) press office. The numbers the police have gathered sum up events that took place between Wednesday morning until 6 p.m. Thursday. These are, however, only initial statistics and the number of accidents and victims may increase.
"According to the initial data, until 6 p.m. Thursday there were 48 accidents on Polish roads, in which 65 people were injured and 6 lost their lives," informed Officer Marciniak.
On Wednesday, there were 128 accidents that left 135 injured and 13 dead. That makes a total of 19 casualties since the start of the "Candle" operation.
Some 4,700 police officers are overseeing the safety on the roads. Apart from road police divisions, alos taking part are officers from: border guard, military police and ITD (Road Transport Inspectorate). Police General Headquarters wasn't able to provide exact number of controls undertaken. What is certain, however, is that on Wednesday 261 drivers under influence were apprehended, whereas on Thursday up to 6 p.m., 142.
The "Candle" operation on Polish roads commenced on 31 October 6 a.m. and will end on November 4 at 10 p.m. The highest number of patrols should be seen on exit routes around biggest cities, as well as around cemeteries. Police is calling upon drivers to pay special attention to pedestrians who tend not be clearly-visible at this time of year.
According to KGP, during last year's "Candle" operation there were 478 accidents which cost 43 people their lives and left 551 heavily injured. The police stopped 1240 drunk drivers.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP