Linz police and ÖAMTC launch light replacement campaign

The Linz police and the Austrian automobile club ÖAMTC conducted a joint safety initiative titled “Licht statt Strafe” (Light instead of Punishment) on November 2, 2026. Instead of issuing fines to drivers with defective vehicle lighting, authorities provided free replacement bulbs to ensure immediate compliance and safety.

The campaign took place near all 18 ÖAMTC service stations in Upper Austria. Officials emphasized that functional lighting is critical for all road users, including cyclists and e-scooter riders, to ensure they are visible to others.

The initiative responds to high accident rates in Upper Austria linked to poor visibility. Last year, the region recorded over 1,600 accidents involving personal injury during twilight. Upper Austria also ranks second nationally for accidents caused by extreme fog. Statistics from the Austrian Club for Traffic Safety indicate that the risk of serious injury during November and December is approximately 70 percent higher for car occupants and more than double for pedestrians compared to the annual average.