New campaign: Safe tunnel - traffic lights save life!

New campaign: Safe tunnel - traffic lights save life!

Security in road traffic remains a central topic, especially when it comes to motorway tunnels. A new ASFINAG campaign entitled "In front of the tunnel: a traffic light view please!" aims to sharpen the awareness of the drivers. Often drivers overlook red traffic lights and drive into blocked tunnels, which not only endangers their security, but also that of the other road users. According to a survey by the Board of Trustees for Road Safety, the causes are inattentive, distraction and sometimes also in conscious disregard for traffic signs. This problem will be discussed in the press conference on the campaign on June 2, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the ASFINAG Headquarters in Vienna. When the weather is nice, the conference takes place at the rest area next to the Austro Tower, in the case of bad weather in the press room of the building. https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250601_ots0018/erinnerung-inlacht-anlaesslich-dest-der-neuen-asfinag-tunnel safety campaign

Another aspect of traffic safety in Tunnels is the importance of altitude controls. These are necessary to avoid damage to the tunnel structures and to ensure traffic safety. In Germany there are over 400 tunnels that are equipped with automatic height measuring systems. Vehicles that are higher than 4.40 meters must not enter the tunnel, which can lead to traffic disruptions if disregarded or misunderstandings. For example, the height control in front of the Elbe tunnel is activated up to 150 times a year, which can cause considerable traffic jams. https://www.adac.de/verkehr/untersicherheit/unterweg/hoehen-detrolle-unnel/

traffic safety and research

The efforts to improve traffic safety also flow into research. The traffic safety program 2021-2030, under the motto "Vision Zero", is the goal of not allowing any dead or seriously injured in road traffic. This is associated with financial means to promote projects that are devoted to digital security in the transport system. The Federal Institute for Roads (BAST) also plays a central role by carrying out numerous research projects on traffic safety and publishes corresponding results every year. These findings are crucial for an ongoing improvement in infrastructure and traffic safety. https://www.mobilitaetsforum.de/de/themen/verwichschung/forschung/forschung/forschung/forschung/forschung_node.html