Austria: nocturnal speed limit of 70 for trucks over 7.5 tonnes
Norbert Hofer, Minister of Transport is intending to raise the nocturnal speed limit for trucks over 7.5 tonnes maximum permitted weight from currently 60 to 70 km/h before the summer, by means of an amendment to the road traffic act. At the same time, the duration of the speed limit will be extended by one hour – from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. instead of currently 5 a.m., the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) informs in a press release from 5 February.
For truck drivers who need to travel at night, the increase of 10 km/h means a relief in their job. “As for the alleged increased noise and environmental impact, it is clearly stated that the engine and gearbox of trucks are not tuned at a cruising speed of 60 km/h and thus reduce at 70 km/h due to lower engine speeds,” according to the BMVIT.
The routes with an explicite 60 km/h speed limit will remain unchanged, emphasises Norbert Hofer. That would be the Brenner, Inntal and Rheintal motorway, as well as the Vienna city motorway Südosttangente. In these areas, transit traffic is significantly higher than on other highways, “which is why an increase would not be advisable for traffic safety reasons”.
The transport industry welcomes the fact that Federal Minister Norbert Hofer is now introducing the nocturnal speed limit of 70 km/h for trucks. Erik Wolf, Managing Director of the Federal Transport Division of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ): “Increasing speed limits is a trend-setting decision that not only benefits the transport industry. It has been proven that a smaller speed difference to cars also has a positive effect on traffic safety.
Erik Wolf reaffirms the industry’s demand “that this must continue. In any case, it would make sense to allow HGVs to speed up to 80 km/h on Austria’s motorways and to continue to engage in constructive talks with Transport Minister Hofer. ”