European community for mobility management

The Austria National Council has amended road traffic regulations concerning the use of cycle helmets and traffic signs. Children under the age of 12 must wear cycle helmets while cycling or while been transported by cycles.

Supporters of the new law argue that it would prevent up to 1,000 head injuries per year. However, opponents of the new requirement are skeptical about these claims and argue it could have a negative effect. This counter argument is based on evidence obtained from other countries that have made the wearing of helmets compulsory for cyclists, where following the introduction of similar laws no increases in road safety were observed (reduction of accidents), although, the numbers of cyclists declined. The reduction in people cycling also impacts on people’s fitness levels and health, as well as local traffic pollution levels.

The second amendment to road traffic regulations concerns the placement of traffic signs. From now on some traffic signs (e.g. access restrictions for cars) will now be in the form of road markings, rather than actual signs. It is hoped this measure will make traffic regulations easier to understand, especially in urban areas as the ‘jungle of traffic signs’ will be ‘thinned out’.

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