Polish Justice Minister Żurek toughens stance: Mandatory prison for repeat traffic offenders

Justice Minister and Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek issued new guidelines on March 10, 2026, ordering prosecutors nationwide to seek mandatory prison sentences for so-called traffic offenders. The new regulations focus primarily on perpetrators who disregard previously imposed court-imposed driving bans. The Ministry of Justice argues that standardizing prosecutorial actions is essential to effectively combat individuals who repeatedly violate traffic laws. The previous prosecutorial practice is to be tightened to eliminate cases of overly lenient treatment of individuals posing a real danger on the roads. The ministry hopes that the inevitability of mandatory imprisonment will improve public safety. The new rules are to be applied rigorously in all prosecution units, regardless of the stage of proceedings.

According to the instructions, announced by the Prosecutor General's spokesperson, prosecutor Anna Adamiak, public prosecutors have received new verification tools and obligations. Prosecutors handling cases against drivers are now required to check each time in databases whether other criminal or administrative proceedings related to traffic are pending against the suspect. Such detailed analysis is intended to allow for the quick identification of repeat traffic offenders and the application of stricter preventive measures against them already at the preparatory stage. The guidelines place particular emphasis on prosecutors not agreeing to suspended sentences in situations where the perpetrator acted under conditions of recidivism. Additionally, investigators are to scrutinize more closely the circumstances of violating bans, which is intended to facilitate courts' decisions to isolate perpetrators. These actions are part of a broader government strategy aimed at eliminating the most dangerous drivers from the roads.

The introduction of the new guidelines is a direct implementation of the announcements made by Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek during a press conference in January 2026. Waldemar Żurek, serving as Minister of Justice in Donald Tusk's third government since 2025, was previously a judge at the District Court in Krakow and a spokesperson for the National Council of the Judiciary from 2010–2018. His appointment as head of the ministry was linked to a promise to toughen penal policy towards traffic offenders and reform prosecutorial structures. Previous years of combating traffic offenses in Poland relied mainly on increasing fines, but the current administration has opted for the severity of criminal procedures and strict enforcement of court bans. The decision to issue official instructions aims to strengthen supervision over ongoing investigations and ensure that each case of a gross violation of regulations meets an adequate response from the state. Process of toughening penalties for traffic offenders: January 2026 — Announcement of changes; March 10, 2026 — Issuance of guidelines; March 12, 2026 — Confirmation of details