New road traffic regulations for Germany and Austria

More information on German traffic regulations and driving in Germany
More information on Austrian traffic regulations and driving in Austria

Germany is the latest country to ban devices which detect radar speed cameras. If you have a SatNav or GPS device which has this capability it must be disabled or the device switched off. Ensure you have downloaded the latest software, as this should automtically disable radar speed location capability for those countries where this is now illegal.

Austria has introduced a rule whereby vehicles must clear a lane for emergency vehicles between the existing lanes of a motorway or dual carriageway as soon as traffic stops.

On dual carriageways with two lanes a lane for emergency vehicles must be cleared between the two existing lanes; on carriageways with more than two lanes it must be cleared between the far left lane (that is the outside lane) and the lane next to it. This means that all drivers in the far left lane must steer their vehicle as far to the left as possible. All other drivers must drive as far to the right (including using emergency lanes) as is necessary.

The obligation to clear a lane for emergency vehicles applies not only after accidents,but also in everyday traffic jams, whether emergency vehicles are present or not.

Not clearing a lane for emergency vehicles or driving on such a lane can result in a fine ranging from 72 to 2,180 euro.

As in the past, drivers of vehicles are required to make room for approaching emergency vehicles on roads which are neither motorways nor dual carriageways.