StVO (road traffic regulations) in Austria
Here is an overview of the most important information on the Road Traffic Act (StVO) 1960 in Austria.
Published on 11/05/2022
What is the Austrian Road Traffic Act (StVO), where and to whom does it apply and how can the entire law be accessed online? die most important information about the StVO in Austria we have summarized for you in this article.
What is the Road Traffic Act?
The Road Traffic Act (StVO) 1960 is a Federal law in Austriathat regulates the rules for all road users on roads with public transport.
Inside too Germany there is a road traffic act to regulate public transport. However, this article is about Austrian road traffic regulations.
contents
The Road Traffic Act came into force on January 1, 1961 and repealed the Road Police Act. It is divided into eight sections and includes all the provisions that apply to the regulate traffic on public roads – For example, driving rules for the drivers of various vehicles, regulations for pedestrian traffic, light and traffic signals, regulations for traffic monitoring and more.
scope
The area of application of the StVO is also defined in Paragraph 1. Accordingly, the road traffic regulations apply all roads with public transport, i.e. on roads that “can be used by everyone under the same conditions”. You can also do this, for example parking spaces in front of shops or eateries, gas stations, shopping malls and more.
On too Streets without public transport the road traffic regulations apply if “other legal provisions or the road maintenance company do not determine anything else.” But: “The powers of the authorities and bodies of the road supervisory authority do not extend to these roads”.
StVO on private property
Even private property is often not excluded: The ÖAMTC points out that the question of “public transport” does not depend on the ownership situation, but on whether the area “appears to be free for general use”.
That means that a private reason about by Barriers, chains or the like should be demarcated to prevent “everyone” from using it – only a sign with the inscription “private property” is probably not enough, according to the ÖAMTC. For more information on this subject, contact the club’s legal department at this link.
Read StVO online
die entire road traffic regulations can be viewed online. This link leads directly to the current version of the StVO in the federal legal information system.
Amendments to the Road Traffic Regulations
So far there have been 33 novellas the road traffic regulations. The 33rd StvO amendment came into force on October 1, 2022 and includes several changes that are intended to bring advantages for cyclists and pedestrians in particular. More information about 33rd StVO amendment you can find an overview here.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Road Traffic Act
The StVO applies to all road users on roads with public transport – i.e. not only to drivers of vehicles, but also to pedestrians, cyclists, but also, for example, horse riders.
According to paragraph 1, the StVO applies to roads with public traffic – these are “roads that can be used by everyone under the same conditions”. However, it also applies to roads without public traffic if other legal provisions or the road maintenance company do not determine otherwise.
By definition, the Highway Code applies to “roads that can be used by anyone under the same conditions”. Depending on the condition, this can also include parking spaces or private property. More information on this topic can be found here.
The StVO regulates traffic for all road users. Among other things, this federal law includes driving rules for the drivers of various vehicles, regulations for pedestrian traffic, light and traffic signals, regulations for traffic monitoring and more.