Fines for violating the cell phone ban while driving or the seat belt and helmet requirement will be increased. In future it will cost 100 euros instead of 50 euros if drivers are caught while driving. If payment is refused or if the driver falls into a speed camera with a cell phone in his hand, it can cost up to 140 euros. So far it was 72 euros. A corresponding amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act (KFG) passed the Transport Committee of the National Council on Wednesday evening.
Disregarding the seat belt and crash helmet obligation is also becoming more expensive. The penalties for this will be increased from 35 euros to 50 euros. The Transport Committee also advocated an information campaign to raise driver awareness.
There are also innovations for driving instructors: the training should be more practical and regular further training should be mandatory. In the future, a written training contract between driving school owners or driving school directors and the person being trained must be concluded for every driver training course. A driving instructor ID in the form of a credit card is also being introduced.
According to the 41st KFG amendment, a “reference to Austria” will also be required in future for the approval of transfer trips. Previously, there had always been cases of abuse on such journeys: According to explanations, vehicles with an Austrian transfer license plate were brought from Belgium to Morocco.
The NEOS agreed to the federal government’s package. Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) sees the measures increasing road safety. Criticism of the increase in penalties came from the SPÖ and FPÖ. As early as 2021, the State Transport Conference had spoken out in favor of increasing the statutory penalties for violating the ban on mobile phones at the wheel or violating the obligation to wear seat belts or helmets. At the beginning of March, the federal government then launched the extensive 41st amendment to the KFG. It should come into force in May.
In 2022, according to the Ministry of the Interior, 88,394 violations of the seat belt requirement were recorded across Austria. 130,540 drivers were reported for using the phone while driving without a hands-free device or were punished on the spot with a penal order.