The Verkehrsclub Österreich (VCÖ) reported unpleasant figures on Tuesday: In the first half of 2022 there were 47 accidents in Burgenland involving people under the influence of alcohol. That is 20 more than in the same period in 2021 – in which, by the way, an increase in alcohol-related accidents was also recorded. Between January and July this year, 55 people were injured in accidents involving the influence of alcohol. Luckily there were no fatalities.
Typical alcoholic: young and male
According to a VCÖ analysis for the whole of Austria, 86 percent of alcoholics are men. Most accidents involving disabled people occur at the weekend, with the 20 to 29 age group being particularly prone to this.
The VCÖ also points out that the number of alcohol-related accidents is usually higher in the second half of the year than in the first and therefore warns drivers to be particularly careful during the punch season: At 0.5 per thousand, the accident risk doubles, at one per thousand sevenfold. “The motto ‘don’t drink and drive’ must be heeded at all costs,” emphasizes VCÖ expert Lina Mosshammer and recommends using the train, bus or shared taxi following visiting the Christmas market.
