The “subway surfers” who paid for their recklessness in Vienna also caused suffering to others, making the subsequent costs of the incident pale insignificant. But the law offers little in the way of stopping the madness. Anyone who approaches a railway crossing incorrectly will be punished more severely.
Two of the four boys who recently destroyed their lives while ‘subway surfing’ looking for an Internet video are still struggling with death. However, there are other victims – in addition to their relatives, especially the driver of the U4 train, who has to come to terms with what he has experienced and needs psychological help. There are also costs for hospital, rescue and police and more. But authorities lack virtually any resources to ensure that the two other boys, who survived the incident unscathed, face the consequences.
“There are no interrogations in such proceedings”
The two unharmed boys – a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old Austrian – probably don’t even need to be questioned by the police. Because the police and Vienna’s public transport lines can only report them for ‘disruption of public order’ and ‘disruptive behavior within the railway facilities’. “These are administrative reports. In such procedures there are no “interrogations in the sense provided for in criminal complaints”, the police told the “Krone”.
Punishment similar to that for ignoring flashing lights
The maximum penalties that await ‘metro surfers’ are downright ridiculous: a maximum of 500 euros for ‘disturbing public order’ and a maximum of 726 euros for ‘disruptive behavior within the railway facilities’. That is the same as driving over a railway crossing when the barriers are already open, but the warning light is still flashing. The Railway Act certainly contains stricter rules. Anyone who, as a ‘repeat offender’, ignores the flashing lights at level crossings risks a maximum of two weeks in prison.
Futile search for a suitable crime
Police still regularly report subway surfers to the Public Prosecution Service, citing Article 103 of the Code of Criminal Procedure – essentially a request for a warrant to investigate a specific crime. But just as regularly, the Public Prosecution Service comes up against the limits of the Criminal Code and cannot find any action against the perpetrators that can be taken to court. According to the judiciary, it is up to the legislature to create appropriate criminal provisions.
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.
