Styrian traffic

Good Whitsun results: fewer accidents, no fatalities

Travel traffic on the A9 Phyrnautobahn.

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz, Krone KREATIV)

The Whitsun weekend, which is known for its heavy traffic, ended with a positive balance: although there were more traffic jams due to border controls, the volume of traffic did not cause any fatalities and resulted in fewer accidents than last year. Only the number of drink-driving charges skyrocketed.

While there were 82 accidents with 94 injuries over the Whitsun weekend in 2023, there were only 72 accidents with 81 injuries in Styria this year. In contrast to the previous year, there were also no road fatalities this year. All of this is part of a pleasing balance drawn by the Styrian police after the weekend.

There was only an increase in alcohol-related charges: 77 drivers were reported for driving drunk, and in 45 cases their driving license was even taken away. That is nine more than in the previous year.

Border controls caused traffic jams
Despite stricter controls, there were fewer speeding offenses (5934 in 2023, only 5856 in 2024) and fewer drug charges (down from 6 to 4), according to the police. However, the border controls in particular caused problems for travelers - especially on Whit Monday, there were traffic jams at the border from Slovenia to Styria.

Due to roadworks, only two lanes were available at the highway border crossing in Spielfeld. Numerous drivers took advantage of the opportunities to cross the border on the main road in Spielfeld or at smaller border crossings nearby (Mureck, Langegg). According to the police, such controls and waiting times can also be expected throughout the summer months.