Austria's compact size, history and stunning landscapes, make it a road tripper's dream destination. Here's how to stay safe.
Photo © Getty Images/aimintang
With its historic cities and beautiful mountains, compact Austria is a great country to explore by road.
While Austria is a highly developed and stable country, with an excellent network of roads, there are some local idiosyncrasies to be mindful of when driving here, including that road signs are often not in English.
Rules and licenses
Driving is on the right, and seat belts are compulsory in the front and back seats, where available. The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is a €35 on-the-spot charge.
To drive in Austria you will need an international driver's license, but if you are in the country for more than six months you will need to get an Austrian license.
Like most Western countries, drink driving is illegal and the punishment is significant. The minimum fine is approximately 360 Euros, and the loss of a driver's license. The maximum limit of blood-alcohol level is 0.05.
When obtaining a rental vehicle, read the fine print of the contract about where you can take the car. Many rental companies prohibit drivers from taking rental cars into Eastern European countries. If you do, and get caught, the ramifications are extreme. You can be arrested, fined and/or charged with attempted vehicle theft. At the least, the Austrian police are authorized to hold the vehicle for the rental company, leaving you carless.
The speed limits are 30 to 50km/h in built-up areas, 100km/h outside built-up areas, and 130km/h on motorways.
Crash helmets are compulsory when riding mopeds and motorcycles.
It's useful to carry the following in your car at all times:
- Reflective jackets (to be worn in the event of a breakdown on all major routes)
- Warning triangle
- First aid kit
- Headlamp beam deflectors (depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually).
What is a vignette?
This is a pre-paid toll sticker that is placed on the windscreen of the car. All freeways (autobahn), federal highways (Bundesstraße) and expressways (Schnellstraßen) in Austria are cashless and a Vignette is required by all drivers to use the motorways.
They don't cost much – 10 Euros for 10 days – but if you don't have one, or don't display it clearly, the fine is 120 Euros.
Police officers speak fluent English so there are no "lost in translation" moments when they are issuing a hefty fine, and you're handing over wads of Euros.
Don't try and dodge it. For peace of mind, purchase a Vignette at any petrol station, tobacconist (Tabak), automobile association, post office and border crossing.
For further information go to http://www.asfinag.at/en
Heavy toll
If your vehicle is bigger than 3.5 tonnes (such as a motorhome or caravan), you will need another toll device to use the motorways and expressways. It's called a GO-Box and must also be attached to the windscreen of your vehicle. With a five Euro registration cost, and either post-pay or pre-pay options, it's money well spent.
For further information go to http://www.go-maut.at.
Winter driving
In the middle of Western Europe, Austria has mild summers and bone-rattling cold winters. But it's the snow-capped Alps that offer stunning landscapes and fantastic skiing.
During the winter, the roads in alpine areas can become dangerous due to snow, ice, and avalanches. Some mountain roads may be closed for extended periods. Between November 1 and April 15, it is mandatory to use winter tires. All-season tires comply if they carry the M S mark and have at least 4mm of tread. In addition, snow chains may be made compulsory by local police during or after heavy snowfall.
Like other road laws in Austria, non-compliance results in a hefty fine and in this case suspension of the vehicle. And you may find your insurance is null and void if the car you are driving is involved in an accident during this season without winter tires.
Road works
Austria's roads and freeways are often being maintained and extended. As a result, there can be autobahn construction zones, particularly on the A-1 East/West Autobahn. Reduced lanes and two-way traffic in these zones have resulted in many fatal accidents in recent years.
In 2019, the European Union recorded an average road fatality rate of 47 per million inhabitants in the EU. Austria falls just above the average with 54 road-related deaths per million inhabitants - almost double the amount of the UK or Sweden, which are the leaders in road safety.
For information on road conditions, tune into the English radio channel fm4, between 91 and 105 FM, depending on the location you are in.
What is also a noticeable difference between German and Austrian roads is the signage. While the German signs guide drivers every step of the way, sometimes with English translations, Austrian signs can leave a visitor confused and bewildered. Get a map or follow a local.
Fake police
Austrian authorities warn tourist drivers traveling on the autobahn in Lower Austria about bogus police in "plainclothes" wearing a baseball cap marked Polizei. They drive unmarked cars with a flashing electronic sign in the back window that says "Stopp", "Polizei" and "Folgen" (follow). All highway/traffic police in Austria wear a uniform, and plain-clothes officers identify themselves without being asked. If you are pulled over and not sure, call the emergency number 133.
Park & Tow
Be careful where you park, particularly in the major cities of Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg. The signage can be unclear and even if you think you are parking legitimately, where other cars are parked, it could be a bus lane or restricted area. And the result when you come back after four hours wandering the city... a fine and a towed car!
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