Horrible accident in Villach: 17-year-old injured after aquaplaning

Horrible accident in Villach: 17-year-old injured after aquaplaning

On March 29, 2025, there was a serious traffic accident on Mühlbacher Straße in which a 17-year-old driver from the Villach district was affected. According to initial police investigations, aquaplaning was the cause of the accident when the young driver's vehicle left the road and collided with a tree, like that Gailtal Journal reported. The driver was able to free himself from the vehicle, but was then taken to Villach Regional Hospital with unspecified injuries.

A breathalyzer test showed the driver was sober at the time of the accident. The fire departments from Rosegg, Dolintschach and St. Jakob/Ros were deployed to secure the accident site and recover the vehicle. A total of 30 emergency services and six vehicles were involved. The police have started investigating the exact cause of the accident.

Aquaplaning as a cause of accidents

Aquaplaning represents a significant risk on the road, especially during extreme weather conditions, which have increased in recent years. Climate scientists warn that climate change will further increase these events, endangering road safety. During aquaplaning, a wedge of water forms between the road and the tires, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. This often happens when large puddles form or during heavy rain when the road surface is flooded. Christian Koch, an expert at DEKRA, explains that on wet roads the water can be displaced from the tires, but not when a thicker layer of water forms.

Bernd Mayländer, known as a safety car driver in Formula 1, describes his experiences with aquaplaning, in which the vehicle's steering mechanics are trivialized while actual traction is lost. In such situations, electronic assistance systems such as ABS or ESP no longer help, which further increases the dangers DEKRA explained.

The importance of road safety

To stay safe on the road, regular vehicle inspections and tire condition are crucial. Especially in wet conditions, drivers should exercise caution and be aware of the risks of aquaplaning to avoid accidents. The increasing risk from climate change makes it necessary to better prepare for such situations and make defensive driving a top priority.

As the events of March 29 clearly show, even a moment of inattention can have significant consequences. The police are currently working to clarify the exact course of the accident, while the fire and rescue services have taken the necessary measures to treat the young driver as quickly as possible.