The planned change to the law announced by the governing coalition of Conservatives and Greens aims to toughen Austria’s rules to bring them closer to those in other countries, including neighboring Germany and Switzerland. Local authorities say they are trying to crack down on illegal street racing and other cases of speeding. While most drivers won’t have noticed races, they cause deaths, sometimes with bystanders. “At the speeds we’re talking about here, no one is in full control of their vehicle. The car is becoming an uncontrolled weapon and a danger to completely innocent people,” Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler of the Greens told a news conference outlining the plan. Specifically, anyone caught driving 60 km/h (37 mph) over the 50 km/h speed limit in cities or 70 km/h over the 130 km/h limit elsewhere, his vehicle will be impounded for up to two weeks. If they are repeat or first-time offenders who go particularly fast – more than 80km/h over the limit in one city or more than 90km/h over it elsewhere – their vehicle will be permanently impounded and usually auctioned off from. The move follows measures introduced last year that increased the time drivers lose their license for speeding and speeding. Subscribe to This is Europe The most central stories and debates about Europeans – from identity to the economy to the environment Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “He who no longer has a car can no longer accelerate. That is exactly why this measure is so successful in other countries – because it hits where it hurts and protects the general population,” Gewessler said, adding that the measures were tough but necessary.
