Roaring engines in residential areas with a volume of over 120 decibels, squeaking tires that result in dangerous, illegal street races in the local area: the speeding and tuning scene has expanded nationwide in recent years. In Upper Austria, too, illegal street racing has repeatedly caused problems and sometimes serious accidents in recent years.
The amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act (KFG), which was passed yesterday by the Parliament’s Transport Committee, is intended to counteract this. This provides for higher penalties for traffic hooligans and faster license plate and car key removal. This means that the authorities can punish ruthless hooligans from the illegal tuning scene more easily, quickly and severely for their misconduct in the future, since a general doubling of the KFG penalty range increases this to 10,000 euros. Another package could follow soon.
Removal of license plates
Yesterday’s decision not only anchored higher minimum penalties, but also ensured “that the number plates can be removed on the spot in the event of serious offenses. Because everyone has to adhere to our common rules, especially in traffic,” said Minister of Transport Leonore Gewessler (Greens) quoted in a statement. This applies, for example, to illegal conversions, and a minimum fine of 300 euros is also provided for such crimes, this amount can also be collected immediately as a penalty.
After a decision in the National Council and the Federal Council, the KFG amendment can probably come into force in May.
The federal states of Vienna, Carinthia and Salzburg announced yesterday at a press conference that they would intensify the fight against street hooligans such as the roadrunner or tuning scene with a joint task force. The federal government wants tougher penalties, which should lead to confiscation of the vehicle. This measure would “hurt the most” for those affected, as Vienna City Councilor Ulli Sima (SPÖ) said.
As ÖVP traffic spokesman Andreas Ottenschläger announced in a broadcast, this requirement is already being worked on. “Another partial package against gross traffic hooligans is currently being worked out at expert level and will soon be ready for assessment. The confiscation of vehicles for the unteachable will also be discussed here. The millionaire, who races at 250 km/h over Vienna’s outer ring, where 80 km/h should have to give up his ‘toy’,” announced Ottenschläger.
The roadrunner and tuning scene has grown rapidly in recent years. The groups are highly active and very well networked with each other, as Sima said. As a result, the population is not only endangered by illegal street races at speeds in excess of 100 km/h in the middle of the town, but is also exposed to massive noise pollution.
Penalize tuning measures
In connection with tuned vehicles, however, there is already a corresponding legal handle, as Upper Austria’s Transport Councilor Günther Steinkellner (FPÖ) said yesterday. If there is imminent danger, the car keys could be taken from the driver. According to Steinkellner, a new format for road checks was recently installed in Upper Austria, according to which police officers are supported by experts from the state inspection agency. The specialists are supposed to find illegal tuning measures that have been installed and are therefore difficult to find.
Source: Nachrichten
