Suche
Mein Konto
Traffic chaos in Vienna: Worries about increasing accident numbers in 2024!
In 2024, Wieden recorded no traffic fatalities. VCÖ calls for measures for more traffic safety in Vienna.
Traffic chaos in Vienna: Worries about increasing accident numbers in 2024!
Traffic in Vienna is like a big tangle of streets and paths, but the latest statistics show that it is getting pretty tight here. The current accident record of the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ) for 2024 has provided worrying results. With 20 traffic deaths and 6,703 injuries, including 646 seriously injured, there is a dramatic increase compared to 2023, when 12 people lost their lives in traffic accidents and 559 were seriously injured. This reports meinkreis.at.
In recent years, counties have attempted to reach the "zero traffic fatalities" goal, but only 8 out of 23 counties were able to achieve this in 2024. The lucky ones are the Innere Stadt, Wieden, Neubau, Josefstadt, Alsergrund, Hietzing, Währing and Liesing. In contrast, Margareten had to record a tragic incident in which a passenger lost his life on September 23, 2024.
Speed and road safety
The VCÖ makes it unmistakably clear that measures against speeding are urgently needed. Katharina Jaschinsky, VCÖ expert, emphasizes how important quiet and safe traffic is for everyone, especially for children and older people. Proposed measures include lower speed limits, encounter zones, high-visibility intersections and wide sidewalks. Today's traffic situation requires quick action and a good hand from city planners in order to get accidents under control.
This is not just a local problem, as the situation is also rather worrying at the national level. According to the VCÖ figures, there were 349 traffic deaths across Austria in 2024 - a decrease compared to 402 in 2023, but the target of fewer than 312 traffic deaths by 2020 was clearly missed. By 2030, the aim is to at least halve the number of road deaths in order to get below 207. This statistic is worrying, especially since some federal states are doing much worse than others, such as Lower Austria with 83 traffic deaths in 2024, while Vorarlberg recorded the lowest number with only 7 deaths. More about this can be found on vcoe.at.
The causes of accidents
The VCÖ identifies distraction, inattention and inadequate speed as the main causes of most accidents. It is emphasized that using the phone while driving in particular massively increases the risk of accidents, as well as the need to improve public transport to make the roads safer. A well-developed network of cycle paths is also important to ensure the safety of cyclists. These aspects are crucial to increasing overall road safety, as the data from statistic.at clarify.
In summary, one has to say: There is still a lot to do in Vienna and all of Austria to increase road safety and reduce the number of injuries and deaths. Smart use of the infrastructure and raising awareness of the problem are essential steps on this path. It is time for us all to take responsibility together and make our roads safer.