Speeders on Vienna favorites: 125 km/h instead of the permitted 50 km/h!

Speeders on Vienna favorites: 125 km/h instead of the permitted 50 km/h!

On Friday evening, June 7th, 2025, two young men were caught illegally racing cars on Laxenburger Straße in Vienna-Favoriten. They raced through the streets at a daring speed of up to 125 km/h, while the maximum permitted speed is just 50 km/h. The two speeders, aged 20 and 24, are now allowed to get by without driving licenses because the authorities have withheld them and also confiscated their two vehicles, a BMW and a Mercedes. The whole spectacle was documented using a calibrated speedometer and a video camera from a civilian patrol car, which significantly supported the police investigation, as Kurier reports.

The behavior of another road user is particularly frightening: a motorcycle driver was caught on Himberger Straße while driving at 161 km/h in a 50 speed zone. He also faces serious consequences, including the loss of his driver's license and the authorities confiscating the motorcycle.

Legal consequences and social responsibility

Illegal car racing is not just fun for the drivers involved, it is, above all, a serious crime. The new catalog of fines in Germany provides for shockingly high penalties for participation in illegal car racing, which can range from fines to prison sentences, depending on the severity of the crime. According to bussgeldkatalog.org, participation without danger can result in up to 2 years in prison. However, if there is a risk to people or property, the penalty can be up to 5 years in prison. In the worst case, especially if an accident occurs that causes personal injury, prison sentences of up to 10 years can be expected. The Criminal Code has banned street racing since April 1, 2013, and the police have the right to secure the vehicles to avert danger.

What makes the whole thing even more complicated is that even those driving alone face harsh penalties if they drive recklessly and endanger other road users. The ADAC explains that the organizers of such races can also be held responsible. An example of the seriousness of the issue is the tragic Ku'damm speeder case from 2016, in which a speeder was convicted of murder.

Support through education and prevention

The danger of illegal car racing should not be neglected, as it poses a significant risk not only to drivers but also to uninvolved road users. To counteract this problem, the authorities are setting up special units to combat such behavior. The ADAC also points out the social responsibility of drivers, which has been brought into focus in recent years by films and video games.

The discussion about these dangerous journeys is by no means new - it runs through the streets of Vienna and beyond. It remains to be seen how the city will deal with this challenge and whether the authorities will take more consistent action against such speeders in order to ensure the safety of all road users.