A9 near Rottenmann: Driver traveled at 222 km/h and challenged unmarked patrol car

Police classify the drive as a massive violation of the road traffic regulations. The driver will be reported for the grossly excessive speed as well as for his behavior after the measurement. Details on age, vehicle make, or nationality were not provided in the notices available so far.

Course of the measurement

Verbatim quote (de): Gegen 20.15 Uhr führte eine Zivilstreife der Landesverkehrsabteilung auf der Pyhrnautobahn (A9) in Fahrtrichtung Norden im Bereich Rottenmann Geschwindigkeitsüberwachungen durch

The Pyhrn Autobahn (A9) is one of Austria's most important north-south connections. In the stretch around Rottenmann, a speed limit of 130 km/h applies over long sections. A speed of 222 km/h means an excess of around 90 km/h.

Legal consequences

Units of the state traffic department, which are specialized in such speed monitoring operations, were deployed to pursue the vehicle and carry out the subsequent stop. The district of Leoben was named as the area of responsibility in which the final investigations are underway.

The driver must now expect a severe penalty. In Austria, speed excesses of this magnitude are associated with high fines and a driving ban of several months. Civil law consequences are also not ruled out.

Context: speeding offenses on highways

Research by the portal Krone Multimedia (KMM) picked up the case and also highlighted the apparently deliberate provocation of the unmarked patrol. Police essentially confirmed the facts.

The incident is part of a series of extreme speeding offenses on Austrian highways. For years, authorities have observed an increase in so-called 'speeders' cases, in which speed limits are deliberately exceeded and officers are provoked.

Continued intensified controls

Police announced that speed monitoring on the A9 and adjacent sections will be continued. Road safety experts warn that speeds beyond 200 km/h endanger not only one's own life but also acutely threaten that of other road users.