Biznes Fakty
Sobriety checks for fuel sales? Ministry response
– In light of the increasing statistics concerning drivers operating vehicles without a license or while intoxicated, there is a proposal to mandate checking driving licenses during fuel sales, suggested MP Katarzyna Kierzek-Koperska (KO) in an interpellation. The response to this issue was provided by Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Stanisław Bukowiec.
KO MP Katarzyna Kierzek-Koperska, in her parliamentary inquiry directed to the Minister of Infrastructure, highlighted that given the rising incidence of drunk driving and individuals driving without licenses, it may be prudent to consider implementing license and sobriety checks at gas stations.
„A gas station attendant would be obligated to verify a driver’s license. They would be prohibited from selling fuel to individuals lacking this documentation. Furthermore, gas stations could be tasked with assessing sobriety and contacting law enforcement. Since no vehicle operates without fuel, a gas station holds a unique position in this context,” she stated. In her inquiry, she questioned whether the Minister of Infrastructure has plans to adopt such measures.
„Exclusive domain of control services”
The deputy’s inquiries were addressed by Stanisław Bukowiec, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure. He emphasized that „conducting the checks mentioned in MP Katarzyna Kierzek-Koperska’s interpellation falls exclusively under the jurisdiction of the relevant inspection authorities, including the Police or the Road Transport Inspection”.
He further noted that, according to existing regulations, „the suspension or reinstatement of a driving license is recorded in the central register of drivers,” a system that is accessible only to designated agencies. Therefore , verifying whether a driver currently possesses valid credentials would not be feasible .
The deputy minister added that customers might purchase fuel not just for vehicles, but also for equipment like generators or lawnmowers. Additionally, payments can be made by passengers, which is permitted under Polish law.
„In light of the above, denying the sale of fuel solely based on the absence of a driving license or suspicion of intoxication, or requiring the presentation of such documents, could be deemed a form of discrimination and a violation of civil rights or personal data protection,” he assessed.
According to Bukowiec, assessments based on drivers’ behavior or appearance are „subjective and susceptible to error.” For the proposed solution to be effective, employees would need access to the CEK database (central driver records), which would necessitate additional funding for training.
„The Ministry of Infrastructure endorses initiatives aimed at enhancing driver sobriety; however, due to the intricate nature of this issue and its various facets, there are currently no plans to implement the suggested solutions,” concluded the Deputy Minister.
