Polish train drivers began a nationwide go-slow protest on Friday, 11 September 2026, reducing speeds to a maximum of 20 km/h at all level crossings from midnight until 24:00. The protest was launched by the Polish Locomotive Drivers’ Union (ZZM) to highlight severe safety concerns following a recent fatal accident.
Fatal Collision at Sokolniki Suche Prompts Protest
The protest was triggered by a fatal accident on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, at a level crossing in Sokolniki Suche on the Lublin–Szczecin rail route. An Intercity train collided with a concrete mixer lorry that entered the crossing illegally while red warning lights were active. The collision caused the derailment
of the locomotive and several railcars. A 39-year-old female passenger died later in hospital, and both the train driver and lorry driver sustained serious injuries. Prosecutors are investigating the incident on suspicion of negligent causation of a rail disaster, punishable by up to eight years in prison.
Union’s Longstanding Concerns Over Level Crossing Safety
The Polish Locomotive Drivers’ Union (ZZM) has warned about dangers at level crossings for over 18 months. According to the union, approximately one accident occurs every two days at Polish level crossings. The ZZM runs the campaign “I want to live,” dedicated to train driver safety and addressing risks from road vehicles illegally
entering railway tracks. Leszek Miętek, president of the union, said the accident on 9 September “came as no surprise to us,” and described the accident as crossing a red line for the union.
Government Announces Urgent Legislative Reforms
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for immediate legislative tightening following the accident and protest. He stated, “We must start work immediately on tightening the regulations.” The Polish Government plans urgent and radical amendments to increase penalties for drivers who enter level crossings when signals or barriers are active. Minister for Infrastructure Dariusz Klimczak confirmed these radical legal changes are expected soon.
Passenger Impact and Union Justification for Protest
The enforced speed limit of 20
km/h at level crossings on 11 September will cause widespread train delays. Leszek Miętek acknowledged potential “possibly even significant” delays but justified the protest as necessary to prevent further deaths. He stated, “There are likely to be train delays, possibly even significant ones. But we believe it is better to have delays for a day than for people to continue dying on the railways.” The union hopes the action will compel government and public attention to long-neglected safety issues.
