Emergency corridor: mandatory since 1 January

Since 1 January 2012, all vehicles on motorways and speedways in Austria are required to form an emergency corridor ("Rettungsgasse") in case of traffic congestion. The new system is designed to allow ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles to travel freely to the sites of road accidents, reaching the scene up to four minutes faster than normal and increasing chances of survival for the victims by 40 per cent. The system has already been successfully introduced in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia

Basic rules

To form an emergency corridor on a two-lane motorway or speedway ("Autobahn" or "Schnellstraße"), keep as far to the left as possible when in the left lane and as far to the right when in the right lane – always parallel to the lane, and using the hard shoulder ("Pannenstreifen") if necessary. The same applies to three lane motorways, with vehicles on the left lane moving to the left and vehicles on all other lanes moving to the right. The emergency corridor is exclusively for emergency services like ambulances, the fire brigade and the police, as well as road service and breakdown service vehicles. Other drivers must not use the corridor or otherwise obstruct emergency vehicles.

No exception for A 23

There is no exception from the emergency corridor rule for stop-and-go traffic or traffic jams on A 23, Vienna's Südosttangente - a road that is notorious for traffic congestion during rush hour. Drivers should note that they must also form the corridor on the multi-lane entrances and exits of Südosttangente, such as the Gürtel exit, where traffic jams often go all the way back to the motorway. The emergency corridor rule ceases to apply as soon as traffic has started to flow freely again.

Entrances and exits

• The emergency corridor need only be formed on multi-lane entrances and exits of motorways or expressways. On single-lane exits or entrances, the usual road traffic regulations apply, i.e. drivers must move out of the way of an approaching emergency vehicles if it is at all possible.
• If you are on the left side of the emergency corridor and want to take the next exit to the right, please make contact with the other drivers (eye contact, etc.) before changing lanes. It is essential that you do not obstruct any emergency vehicles and show consideration for other road users.
• At motorway or speedway entrances , vehicles travelling on the motorway or speedway that have not yet passed the actual confluence point when traffic starts to slow must move as far right as possible, parallel to the lane. Vehicles that have already passed the confluence point move as far right as possible on the acceleration lane. This system ensures that the entrance is never entirely blocked and can be used by emergency vehicles at all times.

The emergency corridor near construction sites

• The general rules for forming an emergency corridor equally apply to construction sites on motorways or speedways. There are no special rules or exceptions in this case, i.e. drivers travelling on the left lane move left, those on the right lane move right. If there is enough space, you should always move as fare right as possible.
• At the rear end of a traffic jam in a construction site area with a barrier separating the two lanes running in each direction, there will be hardly any space left for an emergency corridor. Even in this situation, you should do your best to form a corridor by moving as far left or right as you can (depending on which lane you are using).

Changing lanes within the emergency corridor

Changing lanes is only allowed if and when there is sufficient space on the other lane for you to move into you without obstructing emergency vehicles. In this situation, it is essential for everyone to drive carefully and considerately.

In case of a breakdown

If your car happens to break down while you are in an emergency corridor, switch on the hazard lights and call the breakdown service of your choice immediately (e.g. ARBÖ: 123, ÖAMTC: 01 250 120 00).

Fines

Drivers who use the emergency corridor without permission, for instance to speed past the traffic jam, may be hit with a hefty fine of up to EUR 2,180 if they obstruct an emergency vehicle. Even if no emergency vehicle is involved, the maximum fine is still as high as EUR 726.