Shock accident in Lower Austria: 18-year-olds under the influence of alcohol at the wheel

Shock accident in Lower Austria: 18-year-olds under the influence of alcohol at the wheel

on April 20, 2025, around 0:40 a.m., a serious traffic accident occurred in Lower Austria, which indicates the increasing Problem of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. An 18-year-old from the Horn district lost control of her vehicle when she was in Ludweis-Aigen on the L 1259. The car came off the road and crashed into a field access, whereupon it overturned and came to a standstill on the bikes.

In the accident, the passenger suffered serious injuries, also 18 years old and from the Horn district. After the emergency medical care with the rescue helicopter Christophorus 2, she was brought to the Horn State Clinic. The driver herself suffered minor injuries and went to a hospital independently. A alkotest carried out was positive, which led to the preliminary acceptance of her driver's license. The investigation against the driver will continue after completion in the area of responsibility of the Krems public prosecutor's office on the Danube and the district administrative authority, as [5min.at] (https://www.5min.at/5202504202001/18-jaehrige-baut-unfall-unter- Alcohol

alcohol consumption at the wheel increases

The incident is in the context of an alarming development in the transport system of Austria, which is evident in the recent traffic surveillance balance of the Interior Ministry. The number of alcohol at the wheel has risen sharply in recent years. In 2022, 32,875 drivers were reported for the influence of alcohol, which corresponds to an increase of 15.4 percent compared to the previous year. These figures make it clear that alcohol consumption is an increasingly pressing problem when driving, especially for young driving beginners.

according to [OEAMTC.AT] (https://www.oeastc.at/presse/ alcohol-und-drogendelikte-weren-wer-haeufiger-Haeufiger-Zum-Problem-Aesterreichs-Strassen-40043440) are terrifying drivers between 15 and 24 years old, while 24 percent in the age group of 25 to 34 years. These risk groups are particularly at risk because a reduced ability to perceive their driving and reaction security affects.

a comprehensive problem

In order to counter the problem, the executive increasingly relies on new technologies and trained staff to determine drug influence among road users. With the introduction of drug detection tests and comprehensive training for police forces, security on the streets is to be increased. The federal police carried out more than 1.7 million alcohol controls in 2022, which illustrates the efforts to make traffic safer. An increase of 28.4 percent in the drug ads from 2019 to 2022 shows that this remains a challenge that must continue to be combated.