In Styria, everything remains the same when it comes to fine dust 100s. Despite the better air quality, state environmental councilor Ursula Lackner does not think about relaxing the speed limit on motorways. This is justified by a new study. In the future, however, you will have to brake less often on a stretch.
The political bickering is inevitable: Ursula Lackner (SPÖ, Styrian environmental councillor) announced on Monday that the Luft-100 will remain on Styrian motorways until further notice. And this despite the significantly improved air quality and the ever-increasing pressure from political competitors (especially the FPÖ) and commuter traffic stakeholders.
Better air quality as a “performance”
Lackner justifies her ironclad stance with the results of a freshly published TU study in which the necessity of slowing down is explained on 155 pages: “Fifteen years ago, Graz still had the inglorious title of ‘fine dust stronghold’. Now we see that our consistent measures are effective. This is an achievement that we cannot lightly jeopardize!”
The so-called IG-Luft-100 was introduced in Styria twenty years ago. The speed limit applies flexibly in poor air quality or high traffic intensity.
The comparison with Salzburg is flawed
After this measure to reduce particulate matter was abolished in Salzburg last year, the debate about its necessity flared up again in this country. The University of Graz was therefore commissioned to draw up an expert report intended to assess the impact of speed limits on air quality using scientific parameters.
Thomas Pongratz, head of the state’s air pollution control department, explains the difference between the two states: “The potential for fine dust and nitrogen oxides to spread is simply different in Salzburg than in the Graz basin and the Leibnitz field. In addition, the values were taken at various measuring points in Salzburg. In Styria, the measurements were taken on hundred-meter-long corridors to the right and left of the motorways.”
Mixed balance
This would have shown that the limit values are still not being consistently adhered to. “There is still room for improvement,” says the expert.
Compared to the last evaluation period in 2022, there was also an increase in traffic: “In the eastern sub-corridor, the frequency increased by six percent, in the southern sub-corridor by four percent and in the western sub-corridor by approximately three percent,” the study says.
Stricter limits from 2030
“The total package has an impact. In order not to endanger the health of Styrians, the expansion of public transport or the replacement of heating systems will be further promoted – but the particulate matter level must also remain at 100,” Lackner explains.
This is also necessary in view of the introduction of much stricter limit values by the EU. “The evaluations of the data from the Styrian measuring centres show that even if we take into account lower emissions, the expected limit values from 2030 onwards cannot be achieved without additional measures to reduce emissions,” says Pongratz.
A9 as a positive outlier
There is at least a glimmer of hope for high-speed drivers: from now on, the Luft-100 will appear less often on the southern corridor – i.e. on the A9 between Graz and Hügelsheim – due to the improved air quality.
FPÖ foams
Criticism of the adherence to the tried and tested course was not long in coming: “This is primarily an intimidation of motorists based on climate alarmism. In our opinion, given the significantly better air quality values, there would have been much that would have suggested a quick abolition,” said Styrian FPÖ club chairman Mario Kunasek in a press release.
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.
