New Austrian Penalty Catalog: Fines to Rise by up to 50 Percent from January

The increases are significant depending on the offense. Those traveling up to 30 km/h over the speed limit "muss je nach Straßentyp und gemessener Geschwindigkeit zwischen 40 und 120 Euro zahlen". Entering an intersection on a yellow light is punished with a 70 euro fine. Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign "kostet das ab Jänner 70 Euro". Passing on the right costs 115 euros, dangerous overtaking – for example before crosswalks – costs 140 euros.

Which Offenses Will Specifically Become More Expensive

It gets even more expensive for more serious violations. Driving in an emergency lane "kostet dann 200 Euro". Violating the keep-right rule, for example on highways, will be punished with 100 euros. "Das Abstellen eines Fahrzeugs im Halte- und Parkverbot oder das Vergessen einer Parkscheibe in der Kurzparkzone kostet künftig 60 Euro".

Penalties for higher speed violations are regulated in the Road Traffic Act. "Auch hier sollen die Beträge angehoben werden," according to the Ministry. On average, all traffic fines would be increased by 50 percent, according to a statement from ÖAMTC. The federal government expected additional revenue of 80 million euros from the adjustments, it was said in June.

Reactions: Harmonization Yes, Magnitude Criticized

The harmonization had been demanded for years and, according to the Ministry, is based on the highest fines already in effect in one federal state. "Dabei habe man sich an den höchsten Strafen orientiert, die in einem Bundesland bereits gültig waren. In manchen Bundesländern erhöhen sich die Strafen also empfindlicher als in anderen." The Ministry qualified the criticism from ÖAMTC that penalty amounts were being increased by 50 percent in response to the APA: "Derzeit gibt es in den einzelnen Bundesländern teils unterschiedliche Strafhöhen. Diese wurden nun angepasst und vereinheitlicht."

ÖAMTC expressly welcomed the harmonization step on Wednesday in a statement, but criticized the steep penalty increases. "Kritik übte der Mobilitätsclub aber an der Anhebung der Strafen ‚deutlich über der Inflationsrate‘", it said. "Die Höhe der Strafbeträge zu kommunizieren, hätte auch eine präventive Wirkung", the club emphasized.

ÖAMTC chief legal officer Martin Hoffer called the publication of the complete catalog progress. "Das sei eine wesentliche Verbesserung", he told the APA. Because "die Anonymverfügungskataloge der Bundesländer seien zuvor nicht in Landesgesetzblättern kundgemacht worden". As a result, the exact amount of the fines had previously been difficult for many citizens to understand.

Further Demands and Open Issues

Hoffer is also calling for further steps. "Weiteren Handlungsbedarf sah der ÖAMTC bei Organmandaten – also Delikten, die bei Anhaltungen der Polizei direkt vor Ort geahndet werden. ‚Auch hier fehlt bislang eine bundesweite Einheitlichkeit‘, sagte Martin Hoffer." While he spoke out in favor of harmonization, he emphasized "dass Einheitlichkeit nicht automatisch höhere Strafen bedeuten dürfe".

The new regulations enter into force on January 1 and will then apply uniformly in all nine federal states. This means that, for example, the same speeding offense will in future carry the same penalty framework everywhere in Austria, regardless of whether the offense was committed in Vorarlberg, Tyrol, or Burgenland.

For consumers, the amendment means above all one thing: even everyday offenses such as a forgotten parking disk, a momentary failure to notice a yellow light, or a close overtaking maneuver can in future result in more severe penalties than before.

ÖAMTC announced that it would expand its advice and information for members regarding the new penalty amounts. Those wishing to read the new rules in detail can consult the complete catalog in the respective provincial law gazette publication.