“He who no longer has a car can no longer run.” said Environment, Climate and Transport Minister Leonore Gevesler.
The cars of drivers in Austria who are guilty of speeding will be seized and auctioned off, the government announced today, in a bid to discourage so-called “boy racers” (those who drive fast and aggressively in ‘teased’ cars) threatening them with confiscation of their valuable vehicle.
The planned change to the law, announced by the ruling coalition of conservatives and the Greens, aims to tighten Austria’s rules and bring them closer to those in other countries, such as neighboring Germany and Switzerland.
Local authorities say they are trying to crack down on illegal impromptu street racing and other cases of extreme speed. While most drivers will probably never see such a case, these incidents nevertheless cause deaths, sometimes even of innocent 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 for absolutely innocent people,” said the Minister of Transport Leonore Geveslerfrom the Greens, at a press conference presenting this plan.
In particular, the authorities will impound a vehicle for two weeks that drives 60 km/h over the speed limit in cities, which is usually 50 km/h, or 70 km/h over the limit in other areas, where the speed limit is up to 130 km/h, according to the government plan.
If they repeat the offense or if they are first time offenders driving at particularly high speeds, at over 80km/h over the limit in the city or over 90km/h over the limit in other areas, then the their car will be permanently impounded and usually auctioned off, according to Gevesler.
This latest plan comes in addition to measures announced last year which increased the period for which drivers lose their license in cases of high and extreme speed.
“Whoever no longer has a car can no longer run. “That’s exactly why this message is so successful in other countries – because it hits where it hurts and protects the general population,” said Gevesleradding that while the measures are tough, they are necessary.
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