Fines for cell phones while driving and violations of mandatory helmets and seat belts will be twice as high in the future. A corresponding amendment was approved by the National Council’s Transport Committee on Wednesday. NEOS, Greens and ÖVP see the fines as positive, FPÖ and SPÖ criticize their increase.
AUSTRIA. Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) is pleased with the amendment and hopes road safety will improve. Any wishes and comments brought to the ministry were incorporated into the KFG’s 41st Amendment.
Anyone caught using their mobile phone while driving will have to pay €100 instead of €50 in the future. If you are also flagged by the radar with your mobile phone in hand, you will be charged up to 140 euros instead of the usual 72 euros. Failure to comply with the mandatory use of a seat belt or helmet will be punished in the future with the payment of 50 euros instead of 35 euros.
FPÖ and SPÖ criticize increased penalties
Klaus Köchl from the SPÖ doesn’t like the fact that penalties for using the phone while driving are being increased. He also has little understanding for transferring police agendas to Asfinag.
The FPÖ has similar views. Transit spokesman Christian Hafenecker spots a “handle in drivers’ pockets”. For him, road safety for cyclists is much more problematic and deserves more attention. The FPÖ has already sent an inquiry to the Minister of Transport, according to which the number of cyclists responsible for serious road accidents is increasing.
What are your thoughts on the higher penalties?
Asfinag takes on police duties
In addition to increasing fines, there should also be an information campaign to raise awareness. The FPÖ suspects “self-congratulation” behind this, which ÖVP traffic spokesman Andreas Ottenschläger has vehemently rejected.
In order to avoid the increasingly frequent misuse of transfer trips in the past, there should be a reference to Austria for this in the future. Another novelty is that Asfinag bodies “with adequate training” have the authority to stop special transports and carry out technical checks without the involvement of the police. In this sense, Gewessler emphasized that these are not licenses per se, but only technical controls.
There are also changes for driving instructors. There should be regular, practical and mandatory supplementary training. The identity card in credit card format will also be introduced for this professional group.
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