The Whitsun weekend, which is known for its heavy traffic, is coming to a positive conclusion: although there were more traffic jams due to border controls, the traffic volume did not result in any fatalities and resulted in fewer accidents than in the previous year. Only the number of reports of drink-driving rose sharply.
While there were 82 accidents with 94 injuries on the Pentecost weekend in 2023, this year there were only 72 accidents with 81 injuries in Styria. In contrast to the previous year, there were also no traffic deaths this year. All of this is part of a positive conclusion drawn by the Styrian police after the weekend. There was only an increase in alcohol charges: 77 drivers were reported for driving drunk, and in 45 cases their driver’s license was even revoked. That is nine more than in the previous year. Border controls caused traffic jams. Despite stricter controls, according to the police, there were fewer speeding violations (5,934 in 2023, only 5,856 in 2024) and fewer drug reports (decrease from 6 to 4). But the border controls in particular caused trouble for travel – especially on Whit Monday there was a traffic jam at the border from Slovenia to Styria. Due to construction work, there were only two lanes available at the motorway border crossing in Hügelsheim. Numerous drivers took advantage of the opportunity to cross the border on the federal highway in Hügelsheim or at smaller border crossings nearby (Mureck, Langegg). According to the police, such checks and waiting times can also be expected over the summer months.
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