Warsaw Mommy Blog

I have no idea what is going on in Poland lately in terms of the passing of really hard and tough laws, but I am loving it. Normally I’d be all, “Well, there is an election coming up!” and although there is, it’s the Presidential election, not the Prime Minister/ party election which determines all the real power in this country. So I guess it’s not so much about gaining the popular vote, and maybe (just maybe?) it’s actually about trying to make Polish society safer for non-criminal-types. What a novel concept, huh?

So, as of today here in Poland, a new law goes into effect concerning drinking and driving. And oh, boy… it’s a ‘zero tolerance’ kind of thing. First: if you are caught driving with more than the legally-permitted amount of alcohol in your system (and actually, Poland’s legal limits are among the lowest in Europe), you will lose your license forever and be entered on the national criminal register for the whole of your life. Second: if you cause an accident – no matter how minor – whilst driving drunk, you will lose your license forever and if someone is seriously injured or killed, you are looking at one hell of a long prison sentence – like 20 years. Third, if you drink and drive and cause an accident – no matter how minor – and flee the scene, you lose your license forever and get to see the inside of a prison cell for a decade anyway.

I don’t know about you guys, but I APPLAUD the Polish politicians for this one… the sad fact is that in 2009 alone, there were over 180,000 drunk drivers apprehended in this country. It makes me wonder how many got away with it. A shocking statistic, for sure, and there was quite obviously a need for swift and decisive action.

So, to summarise: Poland is rocking the breastfeeding and the passing of tough laws, but continues to really suck in terms of the acceptance and discussion of PPD.

Ah, well. I guess one can’t have it all, right?

And speaking of loving a country: Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians, both at home and abroad. Our beautiful country is now 143 years old!