In Austria, the maximum speed on motorways and expressways is 130 km/h (for motorcycles and vehicles up to 3.5 t maximum permissible gross weight). Additional speed limits are only imposed when required by legal regulations (e.g., environmental protection, protection of humans and animals) or for safety reasons.
On hazardous road sections, speed limits of 100 km/h or 80 km/h are necessary – for example, on very tight curves, where there is no emergency lane, or in areas with a history of frequent accidents.

Speed limits are only signposted or displayed by ASFINAG when they are necessary and appropriate, when ordered by a competent authority, or when urgent events require them (§ 44b StVO). The Austrian Road Traffic Act (StVO) specifies which traffic signs (indicators) must be used and which rules must be followed.

Criteria for additional speed limits may include:

• Traffic volume (number of vehicles)
• Weather conditions (wet roads, fog, precipitation, etc.)
• Hazards (accidents, traffic jams, smoke near the roadway, etc.)

Often, speed limits are automatically set, as numerous sensors collect traffic and environmental data along motorways and expressways.

Note: Speed and driving behavior are monitored by the police, not by ASFINAG.

Changing speed limits are preventive measures to avoid traffic jams and to dissolve vehicle clusters.
Variable speed limits are activated automatically during specific traffic situations to prevent congestion and break up vehicle clusters (groups of vehicles driving closely together). For example, our automatic detection system can identify several vehicles driving closely together as an impending traffic jam and trigger a variable speed limit (e.g., 100–80–100 or 80–60–80).
In the actual traffic jam area, the speed is not further restricted; instead, the message "STAU" (traffic jam) is displayed on electronic signs.

Speed measurements and penalties for speeding are the responsibility of the executive authority (police). As a road operator, ASFINAG only has an assisting role (e.g., setting up signs, displaying warnings, etc.).
If you receive a fine for speeding, please contact the relevant authority.

For violations of the Road Traffic Act (StVO), please contact the police. ASFINAG is not authorized to penalize such violations or conduct traffic controls – and does not do so.
Such violations (administrative offenses) include, for example, driving under the influence of drugs, failing to maintain a safe distance (tailgating), overtaking on the right lane, or ignoring driving bans or the obligation to drive on the right.

A speed limit with the additional text "IG-L" is based on the Immission Control Act – Air. This act, abbreviated as IG-L, allows speed limits to be imposed in certain areas to protect the environment. The goal is to reduce pollutant emissions, particularly fine particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen oxides (NO2).