Tempo limit on the A2: Thunderstorms of opinions split the community!

Tempo limit on the A2: Thunderstorms of opinions split the community!

Wiener Neudorf, Österreich - The discussion about speeds on motorways does not come to rest in Austria, as the case of the A2 shows. According to a report by Exxpress.at , the municipality of Wiener Neudorf already applied for a tempo reduction in 2016, but this application was unsuccessful. In 2018, residents blocked the A2 to draw attention to their demand for a temporary reduction. There is currently a speed limit of 80 km/h on this route, but the duration of this regulation is indefinite.

The Ministry of Transport, which is headed by the SPÖ, is planning a medium -term evaluation of this speed reduction. While the Verkehrsclub Austria (VCÖ) sees the tempo reduction as a positive step for the environment and health, the ARBÖ expresses concerns. ARBÖ spokesman Christian Frasz argues that constant braking and accelerating can cause higher emissions and refers to the efficiency of modern vehicle technology at 100.

environmental impacts and security

The introduction of speed limits is discussed not only in Austria, but also in Germany as a measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Environmental Federal Agency , a speed limit could play an important role on motorways and a lowering of the top speed on out-of-town streets. Research shows that a speed limit of 130 km/h on motorways, for example, could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.9%, which corresponds to 4.5 million tons of CO2 equivalents. The negative effects on the environment are therefore an important reason for the supporters of speed limits.

In addition, the introduction of speed limits increases traffic safety. Historical examples such as the introduction of a speed limit on the A4 between Cologne and Aachen show that there were no traffic dead since the introduction, while nine deaths had previously been recorded in a short time, as described on the website of Deutsche Environmental Aid . A speed limit can also be seen as a measure in the sense of the "Vision Zero", which pursues the goal of designing transport systems in such a way that errors do not lead to life -threatening injuries.

dispute over costs and noise protection

A central argument against the speed limit is the 13 meter high noise barrier along the A2, which cost 17 million euros and is considered the highest in Austria. Critics see this that a reduction in speed may not be the only correct solution to reduce noise and emissions.

The debate about speed limits is characterized by a variety of factors: from environmental and health aspects to security concerns and costs. In view of the different positions, the A2 will continue to remain a focal point in the discussion about speed limits in Austria.