Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) wants to intensify the fight against speed demons with further, rigid measures. For example, the vehicle could be removed from the area from a speed of 60 km/h.
A package against speeders had already been presented a year ago, but Gewessler stressed that they would go further: “In the case of ruthless speeders, we will carry out the seizure, even if it is a legal challenge.” The first spark was your case in Salzburg, where the daughter of a woman who has since campaigned for tougher action was killed by a speeder.
“Get the Murder Weapon Out of Your Hand”
That is why in recent months they have been working with the states on an amendment to the traffic regulations and the driving license law that should make it possible to seize vehicles from speeding offenders. “There are some on our streets who won’t listen, where even retraining and punishment don’t work, we need to take the murder weapon, aka the vehicle, out of their hands.”
If the speed exceeds 60 km/h, the vehicle has disappeared
Speeding over 60 km/h in a local area will result in the loss of not only the driver’s license but also the vehicle for two weeks – after which the authorities must decide what to do with the car or motorcycle. In case of a violation of 80 km/h in the neighborhood or 90 km/h outside the municipality, the government can even confiscate the vehicle from the first offender.
Speed offenders with foreign license plates will also be targeted in the future. If you are caught in the act, you will not only lose your driver’s license. The car can also be removed in the future, as explained by Salzburg County Councilor Stefan Schnöll.
Hermann Weratschnig, traffic spokesman for the Greens, emphasized that the purpose of this law was to protect the general public: “Extreme speeders must be stopped, there is no mercy. Our roads are not racetracks. Those who relentlessly endanger others must have a be stopped.” It is therefore to be hoped that a large majority will be found in parliament for these two amendments.
In any case, support came from coalition partner ÖVP. Andreas Ottenschläger, traffic spokesman for the People’s Party, said: “If someone in the neighborhood is driving at such speeds, eventually near a school, it’s not acceptable.” more to the attention of the authorities.
Constitutionally, the confiscation of the vehicles is a complex matter, so the amendment must be scrutinized particularly carefully, but there is still no alternative to the measure. Gewessler emphasized that these are punishments for “particularly illegible”. This measure could have been implemented in 400 to 500 cases last year.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
