In Austria, new rules affecting careless and extreme speeders have already reshaped how authorities respond to dangerous driving. The changes, driven by the Ministry of Transport, aim to curb reckless behavior on both city streets and open roads by bringing swifter consequences for those who exceed speed limits dramatically.
Under the updated framework, drivers who exceed city speed limits by 60 km/h or highway limits by 70 km/h can expect more than a temporary driving restriction. The vehicle may be taken on the spot, creating a immediate impact on the offender and any passengers who may rely on that car for daily tasks. The move signals a shift toward removing dangerous drivers from the road quickly, rather than waiting for lengthy court processes.
Transportation Secretary Leonora Gewessler emphasizes the broader safety goal: keeping streets free from behavior that endangers others. The policy treats severe speeding as a direct threat to public safety, not merely a personal risk for the driver. This stance reflects a growing consensus among road safety officials that decisive action can deter repeat violations and reduce the number of high-speed incidents.
When a driver is caught with frequent violations, district authorities are given a two-week window to review the person’s driving history. If the driver has already drawn attention from authorities for prior speeding episodes, the confiscated vehicle may be auctioned. In such cases, 70 percent of the proceeds are directed to the road safety fund, with the remaining portion allocated to the local municipality to support further safety initiatives.
There are stricter penalties for extreme speeding: exceeding the limit by 80 km/h in built-up areas or by 90 km/h outside the city can trigger immediate vehicle confiscation. However, certain protections apply. If the vehicle is owned, leased, or rented by another person, the process cannot proceed to an auction because of third-party property rights. In these instances, a two-week confiscation is imposed, and the offender faces a lifetime ban on holding a driver’s license. This approach balances firm action against the most dangerous cases with care for legitimate vehicle ownership and leasing arrangements.
Proponents note that the reform aims to address a pattern of abnormal speeding, a problem quantified by national statistics. While the exact numbers fluctuate year by year, several hundred cases each year have fit the profile of excessive speed that the new law targets. The legislative initiative has been under review and, if implemented, would become part of the country’s comprehensive road safety strategy. The intent is clear: reduce speed-related harm by acting decisively when limits are breached in dangerous ways.
Source: auto-motor-und-sport.de
A picture: Depositphotos
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