A2 tempoimit at 80 km/h: residents cheer, Arbö explains war!

A2 tempoimit at 80 km/h: residents cheer, Arbö explains war!

Since the beginning of 2025, a speed limit of 80 km/h has been in place on the A2 near Wiener Neudorf, Biedermannsdorf and Laxenburg. This measure was welcomed by the neighboring communities because it should counteract the noise and exhaust gas pollution. However, there is also considerable criticism of this regulation. The ARBÖ Lower Austria points out that in this section the highest noise barrier in Austria, a 13 -meter -high structure, was built, which cost 17 million euros. In her opinion, this investment justifies a speed limit of 100 km/h in order to make traffic more fluid.

The Verkehrsclub Austria (VCÖ), on the other hand, supports the speed limit of 80 km/h and argues that reduced speed produces less noise and exhaust gases, which contributes to the protection of the health of the residents. This discussion about the speed limit is the result of years of efforts by the neighboring communities, which saw an application to the Ministry of Transport in 2016 and even mobilized in 2018.

Health effects of traffic noise

The context of this debate is also the increasing concern about the effects of traffic noise on health. According to the German Environmental Aid , many people in urban areas and on strongly frequented roads suffer from noise, which is the most dominant source in Germany. Around 75% of people are disturbed by road traffic noise. Lower exposure can lead to serious health problems such as sleep disorders, high blood pressure and even depression.

In Germany, the limit for noise is 64 dB (a), while the WHO recommends reducing the limit values ​​to below 53 dB (A) in order to avoid health risks. The current speed limit on the A2 could be considered an attempt to meet these recommendations, even if the discussion remains polarized.

upcoming discussion event

In order to bundle the concerns of the residents and the various points of view, ORF Lower Austria will organize a discussion evening for the population on May 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in the Flieger & Flieger restaurant in Laxenburg. The aim is to develop solutions together and to illuminate the perspectives on the speed limit.

In the rapidly growing discussion about traffic noise, it is becoming increasingly clear that speed limits, noise barriers and the health effects of traffic noise are closely linked. The demands for improved noise reduction measures and new agreements between the authorities and the citizens remain up to date.