7 September 2022, Płock, Poland – The “Autosobriety Training Programme to Prevent Drink-Driving” kicks off today with the aim to equip and train driving schools, educational centres and secondary schools with educational tools in order to contribute to the prevention and reduction of alcohol-related traffic fatalities and injuries in Poland.

The programme comprises educational tools including an online training course, a 360-degree video to experience the effects of alcohol in driving performance through Virtual Reality, and a microlearning course available through EdApp. More specifically, participants will learn about alcohol and its impact on their ability to drive, the risks of driving while intoxicated, the legal ramifications, and their personal responsibility to avoid drink driving in the country.

In Poland, up to 2,500 road accidents were recorded in 2021 involving drivers under the influence of alcohol, in which young drivers aged 18 to 24 were highly involved. Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the main causes leading to road traffic casualties and crashes in Poland. The implementation of the Autosobriety Training Programme, in close coordination with driving schools and education centres around the country, aims to equip current and future drivers with the correct knowledge and understanding in regard to alcohol in general, but more specifically, driving while being drunk.

Official panelists Artur Zieliński and Elżbieta Kwiecińska-Prysłopska, respectively Deputy Mayor of the City of Plock, Executive Director of CIFAL and General Director, Polish Vodka Association (PVA) for the latter, also representing the two primary partners for the development of this training program: CIFAL Płock and PVA, emphasized during the two-fold kick-off event the importance of implementing such educational project in the Municipality to equip drivers with knowledge, raise awareness and shift driving behaviors for the years to come in the country.

Intoxicated drivers are a danger to all road users. It is vital that drivers are deterred from getting behind the wheel after drinking, not only by fear of punishment, but by an understanding of how tragic the consequences can be. The aim of the educational project we are launching today in Płock, which I hope will soon cover the whole country, is to equip drivers with knowledge. We want the Autosobriety programme to ultimately extend and complement the traditional learning programme provided by driver training centres - we will be discussing this with driving school owners so that every student can take it. The programme will also be available online, making it possible for virtually anyone willing to complete the training themselves. I hope that the implementation of the programme in Płock is the beginning of a wide-ranging educational campaign which will contribute to the elimination of such a significant problem as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Artur Zieliński, Deputy Mayor of Płock and Executive Director of CIFAL in Poland

We all need to be aware that it is not acceptable for drunk drivers to drive. Therefore, our message is simple: when you are planning to travel by car - absolutely renounce alcohol; your own safety and the safety of other road users shall come first. Our Association engages in the social and educational campaigns on responsible alcohol consumption - we believe that knowledge and the resulting awareness and responsibility are the most important.

Elżbieta Kwiecińska-Prysłopska, General Director of the Association