ÖAMTC Warns: More Alcohol-Related Accidents in Summer

24 percent of the total 2,705 accidents happened in these summer months, warned the ÖAMTC on Monday. According to Statistics Austria, in 2024, as many people died in alcohol-related accidents as not seen since 2018, with 33 fatalities and more than 3,000 injuries. Increasingly, drivers of single-track vehicles are driving under the influence of alcohol.

Accidents under the influence of alcohol accounted for more than seven percent of all traffic accidents with personal injury in 2024. "The high number of alcohol-related accidents is alarming and once again highlights that the negative effects of alcoholic beverages in road traffic are far too often underestimated," explained ÖAMTC traffic psychologist Marion Seidenberger in a statement.

Mostly on Saturdays

"In July and August, the peak levels of alcohol-related accidents are usually reached," noted Seidenberger. "The dangers of alcohol are unfortunately often forgotten or suppressed in social gatherings during warm temperatures," she reported. Alcohol-related accidents with personal injury occur most frequently on Saturdays - more than a fifth of the accidents last year occurred on this day of the week.

Most accidents under the influence of alcohol are "single accidents" (over 60 percent) - meaning the traffic participant is the sole cause and the accidents happen without the involvement of others. 86 percent of those involved in traffic accidents as drivers or pedestrians under the influence of alcohol are men.

Alcohol Accidents: Legal Consequences

"The numbers of car drivers involved in accidents under the influence of alcohol are decreasing year by year. Meanwhile, the percentage involvement of other forms of mobility in alcohol-related accidents has partially increased significantly - namely among cyclists (25 percent), drivers of (e-)scooters (11.5 percent), and motorcyclists (nearly five percent)," explained Seidenberger.

The ÖAMTC traffic psychologist also pointed out high traffic fines of up to 5,900 euros. Liability insurance can reclaim up to 11,000 euros in the event of an accident with more than 0.8 per mille through recourse, and both legal protection and comprehensive insurance are void in such cases. "Those who drive do not drink, and those who drink do not drive," recommended Seidenberger.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.