Cablegate: Polish Response to Distracted Driving Demarche

VZCZCXRO4140
PP RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTRO
DE RUEHWR #0097 0470827
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 160827Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY WARSAW
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9418
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

UNCLAS WARSAW 000097

SIPDIS

FOR OES/S NANCY CARTER-FOSTER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EUN SOCI UNDP UNGA PL
SUBJECT: POLISH RESPONSE TO DISTRACTED DRIVING DEMARCHE

REF: STATE 6703

1. On February 4, Econ Officer spoke with Andrzej
Grzegorczyk, Director of the National Council of Traffic
Safety within the Ministry of Infrastructure to deliver
reftel demarche. Mr. Grzegorczyk offered general information
regarding road safety in Poland and recognized that
distracted driving is a growing issue. He did not have a
response to our specific requests. Post will report any
substantive response septel.

2. Mr. Grzegorczyk reported that while a law is on the books
prohibiting cell phone use while driving, with the exception
of hands-free devices, it is up to the local police to
enforce the policy. He expressed doubt about the
thoroughness of enforcement by the police and commented that
while cell phones are sold with hands-free devices, he did
not think many people used them. Cell phone use while driving
is commonly seen.
FEINSTEIN

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