The driver being blinded was recorded by two cameras. Fortunately, there were no serious consequences for the passengers or the employee, who immediately reported the incident to the dispatcher.

– Twice, at intervals, our driver underwent ophthalmological examinations to rule out eye damage. For the first few days, his eyes were irritated and he had to use eye drops. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage – says Bartłomiej Rodak, spokesperson for Koleje Dolnośląskie.

Police will investigate the matter

This kind of thoughtless behavior can lead to a disaster. A laser beam causes temporary blindness, which can have dramatic consequences. The carrier is not playing down the incident and has reported it to the relevant services:

– Such scandalous behavior is dangerous not only to the driver’s health but also threatens passenger safety – says B. Rodak. – The safety of our passengers and employees is our absolute priority, which is why we respond firmly. There is no justification for such behavior. We have already reported this incident to the Legnica police.

Fortunately, in this case the driver did not suffer permanent eye damage—as happened, for example, in a similar incident involving police officers in Tczew. The senseless trend of blinding people with laser beams has so far mainly affected aircraft pilots. Media around the world are increasingly reporting such incidents. Experts point out that the Criminal Code applies in cases of this kind.

– In our view, a crime involving the creation of an immediate danger of a disaster in land traffic may have been committed, but law enforcement authorities will assess that – the KD spokesperson confirms.

A nightmare for train drivers—people crossing the tracks in unauthorized places

Thoughtless use of lasers to blind people is not the only problem faced in their daily work by Koleje Dolnośląskie employees. People crossing directly in front of a moving train are a true nightmare for drivers.

– Unfortunately, such situations occur very often – admits B. Rodak. One of them took place at the end of December 2019, when an elderly woman was crossing the tracks as a train was approaching the platform. She did not respond to the audible warnings; fortunately, the incident did not end in tragedy.