Traffic warning in Melk: Distraction and speed live costs

Traffic warning in Melk: Distraction and speed live costs

in 2023 Lower Austria experienced a worrying increase in traffic fatalities, with a total number of 100 victims in this state, which leads to a total of 402 deaths in all of Austria. These figures represent an increase compared to the previous year and show urgently how important traffic safety is.

The Melk district is the focus, where the police are intensively against the main causes of traffic accidents. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Heinreichsberger, the district police commander, emphasizes that distraction - especially through mobile phones - is the most common cause of accidents. "Unfortunately, this is sometimes really a 'mortal sin'," he explains.

speed controls and risks

Another significant factor are unadjusted speeds. In order to counteract this, speed controls are routinely carried out by radar boxes and laser pistols in the Melk district. With extreme speed overruns, the police can temporarily confiscate vehicles. "This checks the facts and puts the other measures into force," adds Heinreichsberger. Such a measure would be the creation or even the decay of the vehicle, with various factors such as speed and ownership. So far there was only one striking case in this regard in the district.

Another dangerous behavior in road traffic are accidents under the influence of alcohol. Although these do not appear in alarmingly high numbers, they are still absolutely avoidable. In addition, it represents a high risk if car windows are not properly cleared, which can significantly impair the view. The focus is also also on distractions through food or smoking, even if there are no special cases in the district.

game accidents and seasonal driven

Heinreichsberger also provides information about the seasonal risks in road traffic. It is already known that there is an increased risk of accidents due to wild animals, especially at dusk and at night. In 2023, 95 people were injured in game accidents in Lower Austria, and a person even lost his life. These accidents mainly occur in the autumn months of October and November, which underlines the urgency of increased vigilance of drivers.