Hallo zusammen,
Ich mache Urlaub in Österreich und das ist das erste Mal, dass ich hier herumfahre, daher bin ich mir nicht sicher, ob das, was passiert ist, echt war.
Gestern wurde ich auf der B166 bei Rußbach am Paß Gschütt von der Polizei angehalten. Sie überprüften meine Papiere und zeigten mir den Messwert auf der Radarpistole, der 72 km/h anzeigte, und dass ich damit die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung überschritten hatte. Ich dachte, auf diesem Abschnitt sei die Höchstgeschwindigkeit 80 km/h, ich erinnere mich an die 80-km/h-Anzeige und auch auf meine GPS-App, die 80 anzeigte. Sie sagten mir, das stimmt, aber im Winter liegt die Höchstgeschwindigkeit auf diesem Abschnitt bei 50 km/h, weil es gefährlich ist. Es ist zwar kurvig und geht bergab, aber es war trocken und ich kann mich nicht erinnern, Schilder mit der Aufschrift „50“ (zum Beispiel mit einem Schneeflockensymbol) gesehen zu haben.
Wie auch immer, ich habe die Strafe von 20 € bezahlt, ich wollte nicht widersprechen, weil ich nicht sicher war, ob ich recht hatte oder nicht. Sie waren auch sehr höflich und sprachen gut Englisch, Respekt dafür.
Ich bin nur neugierig, ob es so etwas wirklich gibt "Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung im Winter" auf bestimmten Straßenabschnitten in Österreich.
Danke!
https://i.redd.it/xotrlxf592jg1.png
Von k_atti
16 Kommentare
20 Euro is a present
Just forget about it
yes, there are such limits (esp for rain / wet road / …) but you should have been able to see the speed limit signs somewhere… this is not „common knowledge“ you’re expected to know.
However, as you paid the fine you threw out all rights to challenge this and it’s done 😀
If they claim the speed limit is specifically 50 there had to be a sign, maybe you didn’t see it.
i live not too far from where you got your ticket, about one hour or so. And ive never seen anything like that. The only time i know of in winter where your allowed speed reduces to 50 kmh is when you cant see past 50 meters cause of snow/fog then its limited to 50 if there isnt a lower than that speed limit around
There sometimes is an extra sign under the limit with a alternative limit. Looks like this.
https://preview.redd.it/iduxc4q2a2jg1.jpeg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e1f3e48b705dc6b67173eb74260a466fe1d971d
In combination with additional signs it is possible that speed limits get reduced specifically on wet or snowy roads, however this shouldn’t apply when the road is dry. I’m not aware of any general „winter speed limits“.
https://preview.redd.it/q729wiqfa2jg1.jpeg?width=592&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25c32c644c292ae8cdb17f3a7b51602960acb170
As in most countries, the actual speed limit is depending on the road conditions rather than what is written on the sign, which only indicates a *maximal speed limit* at good conditions.
However, getting fined for it is indeed quite an accomplishment, especially if the weather conditions were decent (which I assume so as I live 15 kilometers nearby). In that regard, it seems more like they just had to „find at least someone“ or something. Since it is a really low fine, I wouldn’t think too much about it.
I drove this road the day before yesterday and I think there are signs that say 50 for this part of the road, because many skiers are driving to or from the parking area in wintertime.
20 euro is a very low fine, stop complaining.
It’s legit.
Snow and/or rain on some streets lead to a reduced speed limit.
Someone already explained that 20€ fee is a gift.
No a lawyer, but Austrian Street Trafffic Order (STVO) says, that you have to choose „appropriate speed“ (angepasste Geschwindigkeit) in Winter. It’s always a matter of opinion what „appropriate“ is, but that could only be settled in court. By paying the fine „Organstrafverfügung“ you have forfeit that chance. Anyway it wouldn’t be worth it, to fight over 20 Euros.
You already paid the fine, so this issue is done.
In principle, it’s good to know the following:
When police fines you right on the street, they have the option to issue a „Organstrafmandat“. This is what they actually did in your case. The fine is typically much lower than a regular fine.
You then have the option to accept and pay the „Organstrafmandat“ or otherwise not pay it and wait for the regular fine that will be delivered by mail.
As stated, the regular fine will be much higher, but different to „Organstrafmandat“ there are legal ways to object the regular fine.
So if you are very confinced that you are right or that police at least has no way to proof your misdoing, it can make sense not to pay the „Organstrafmandat“.
Otherwise it’s always cheaper to pay right away.
GPS speed limits can be misleading or wrong on Austrian roads. Always look out for actual signs.
On many austrian roads, there are separate speed limits for „snow and rain“. That’s usually a speed sign with this additional sign (or just the snowflake):
https://preview.redd.it/nvsxjs24a2jg1.png?width=600&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8a917cdc1e9bb51911fd54186d802ccd3fc0beb
For your specific case, I couldn’t find any signs on street view that would suggest such a limit. However, that could be old images.
LOL, 20€?
If the weather is „winter like“ the snowflake signs are to be followed.
That means between november to april you need to proof that it is not „winter like“ and you don’t need to follow snowflake signs
If the asphalt is too cold and ice is possible then it is 100% „winter like“
It’s been a while since I learned this stuff, but IIRC you can also be fined for driving ‚faster than weather/road conditions allow‘ even if there’s no speed limit. Like, i.e., the distance you need to stop needs to be shorter than how far you can see (meaning <50km/h at night unless you have high beams on).
Enforcement of that is rare though, and I think that a 20 eur fine means that they let you get away easy (because the police themselves think it’s not a big deal). I’m pretty sure I’ve been fined now for cycling without lights.