Drivers in Poland protest rising gas prices

Published Jan. 28, 2012 at 7:42 pm

Trucks block the A1 highway entrance in Naples, Italy, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. Truck drivers in Italy angered by an increase in gas prices introduced as part of the government's austerity measures have blocked highways near Milan in the north and Naples in the south. Also protesting Monday were taxi drivers who went on strike across Italy over plans to issue more taxi licenses. The measure is part of a liberalization package approved last week by the government as it seeks to convince investors it has a strategy to deal with its debts. Truck drivers brought their protest to the mainland after bringing goods transport to a near halt in Sicily last week.

Photo by AP Photo/Gennaro/Italpress, Lapresse

Hundreds of drivers in Poland squeezed by rising gas prices waged a protest across the country on Saturday, driving at a snail's pace and blocking key routes in a show of frustration.

News station TVN24 reported the protests took place in dozens of cities.

Drivers slowed down to about 30 to 40 kph (20 to 25 mph), the minimum legal speed, on certain highways as a way to pressure the government to do something about rising gas costs.

Gasoline costs about €1.30 ($1.71) per liter in Poland now, which is among one of the lower rates in Europe. However, prices have been on the rise lately because of a rise in oil prices on the international market and because of new taxes, leaving drivers feeling squeezed.

According to state statistics, gas prices have risen 20 percent over the past year.