Less noise, more safety. This is what many Salzburg local leaders are hoping for from a possible change in the law.
Hardly any Anifer these days would want to do without the constant “30s” in town. Mayor Gabriella Gehmacher-Leitner (KRÜ list) is convinced of this. The narrow streets in the rural community were given the speed limit more than 20 years ago. “We really appreciate it, noise and pollutant emissions have fallen significantly,” says Gehmacher-Leitner, summing up. So far, years of pressure have often been necessary. Only half as much noise as before and more safety – that’s what Anif has been experiencing on the Alpine Road since spring. There, instead of 70, only 50 km/h are allowed. But the community had to put pressure on the authorities for years to achieve this. Because many municipalities have just as difficult a time in their efforts to limit speed limits, Anif’s local leader signed a petition from the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ). The petition calls for more freedom of choice for municipalities when introducing a speed limit of 30 km/h. Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler from the Green Party sent the message to the federal government. ÖVP made a corresponding legislative proposal at the beginning of July. The municipality of Hof was rejected by the state this year, but the government partner still does not agree. “That would be a good thing,” says Thomas Ließ, another of the twelve mayors of Salzburg (280 in the whole of Austria) who are calling for more freedom to vote in their 30s. In his municipality of Hof, the state rejected the request for a 30 zone this year. Christian Gratzer (VCÖ) urges: “Now we could be ready.” Last year, two out of three traffic accidents with deaths or injuries occurred in the local area.
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