It is to be hoped that we will be able to go on holiday a little further from home next summer. If you then go to Austria, pay extra attention, because that country tightens its traffic fines considerably.
Until now, Switzerland was mainly known as the holiday destination where you have to be careful not to drive too fast. Austria not so much, but they will also be stricter from next summer. Not only is the fine in some cases doubled, the vehicle can also be confiscated in the event of extreme speeding offenses. The fines and measures also apply to foreign tourists. That reports the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.
A large part of the package of measures must come into effect in the summer of this year, before the holiday season. The fine for driving very fast (exceeding 50 km / h) will be increased from € 2,180 to € 5,000, more than doubling. As a rule, however, only extreme speed drivers and repeat offenders should fear the maximum fine.
Incidentally, compared to the Netherlands, you are currently relatively well off with a smaller speed limit. For example, on the highway you now have to count on about € 30 fine for speeding 20 km / h and € 60 for speeding at 30 km / h. In built-up areas, the fines are approximately € 10 higher. So count on it that this will also be more from next summer.
Withdrawal of driver’s license
Austria is also lowering the limit for recovery of the driving license. If you drive 30 km / h or more too fast in built-up areas in Austria from next summer, you will lose your driving license for at least two weeks. Outside the built-up area, this applies from a 40 km / h exceedance. If you drive at least 40 km / h too fast in built-up areas and at least 50 km / h too fast outside built-up areas, you will lose your driving license for at least four weeks from now on. Those limits are 10 km / h lower than before. Again, foreigners can also be the loser here.