Time and again the headlines are made by speed demons driving at high speed through towns and villages in Austria. A week ago, the first auction of a fast-moving car took place via an online auction in Vorarlberg.
In Austria, the government has taken decisive steps to tackle the problem of extreme speeding on the streets. Since March 1, 2024, vehicles of speeding offenders can not only be seized, but also auctioned in serious cases.
Vehicle was considered “severely damaged”
This case occurred for the first time in Vorarlberg. As “Der Standard” reports, a Peugeot 208 was auctioned through Dorotheum auction house as part of a major online auction. A total of 133 vehicles have been seized since March, 13 of which have been permanently seized through official action.
The auctioned Peugeot 208 from 2018 can hardly be described as a powerful vehicle with 110 hp. The vehicle appeared to be in a significantly compromised condition, described as ‘heavily used’, ‘damaged’ and ‘in need of extensive repairs’. At the auction, bidding started at 2,000 euros and on October 2, the final hammer fell at 6,800 euros.
30 percent of the proceeds go to the state
The distribution of the proceeds follows a fixed distribution key: 70 percent goes to the Austrian Road Safety Fund, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. The remaining 30 percent goes to the local authority responsible for the criminal proceedings – in this case the state of Vorarlberg.
There is a long process before vehicles are auctioned. Cars are first temporarily seized and then officially seized. After the administrative criminal proceedings have been completed, a confiscation procedure will be initiated. The auction can only take place after the decision to seize the vehicle has become legally binding. This order ensures that all legal steps are completed correctly before the vehicle is released for auction.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
