Tyrol: Diversion traffic temporarily permitted again
With the easing of the traffic situation, the driving bans were lifted. They were aimed at reducing congestion and keeping the load on several rural roads under control.
Long traffic jams often form on Tyrolean roads. In order to keep the flow of traffic on the main routes and the utilisation of the lower-ranking road network under control, the provincial government often issues temporary driving bans for alternative traffic. This is exactly what happened last weekend in the greater Innsbruck area, when vehicles formed kilometre-long queues. An extent of about ten kilometres was namely reached in the west of the provincial capital at 3 pm. In the west, a traffic jam of almost six kilometres had also formed at rush hour. The Innsbruck Kranebitten exit and Zirl Ost were particularly affected.
The situation has now eased, according to the provincial spokesperson. With the return to a regular flow of traffic, the temporary driving bans from around 6pm on Saturday evening could be lifted again. The ban, issued jointly by the Provincial Traffic Department, the Innsbruck District Authority and the police, was in fact in force from 12 noon for all motor vehicles on their way to Italy. This was to prevent evasive traffic and congestion in local areas.
A spokesman for the Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club (ÖAMTC) named among the reasons for the traffic jams not only the (return) tourist traffic, but also a construction site at the height of Innsbruck-Süd. Together, these two factors caused unexpected traffic disruptions. Despite the high volume of traffic on the Whitsun weekend and the driving ban imposed for it, the Austrians did not expect so many cars on the Tyrolean roads last weekend.
Although it is clear that there is always a risk of traffic jams in the summer months, such phenomena are difficult to predict precisely. Last-minute bans can therefore be imposed by the competent authorities. Permanent traffic restrictions also apply in Austria, such as the several active environmental zones. You can find out which these are in detail and which sticker you need to drive in Austria in the Green-Zones app.