The regional driving bans in Tyrol should also apply in winter. This was announced by the head of the Austrian state, Günther Platter, in Meran. The combination of freight transport, ski tourism and snow could otherwise lead to a traffic collapse, warned the politician of the conservative ÖVP. "We're going to do that," Platter said.
Since the end of June, driving bans have been prohibited in the Greater Innsbruck area and in the districts of Reutte and Kufstein on weekends. The aim is that the travelers use only the highway and no alternative routes. The decision led to heavy criticism from Germany. Tyrol is pushing for further steps, such as a corridor toll from Munich to Verona, in order to reduce truck traffic over the heavily polluted Brenner Pass.
The current measures are valid until 15 September. Transport experts will now work out the exact scope and periods for the winter, said Green Ingrid Felipe, responsible for transport issues in the Tyrolean government. Since the end of June about 20,000 vehicles have been rejected due to the prohibitions.