The number of wrong-way drivers reported in Austria fell in 2024, with 400 incidents recorded by the Ö3 Traffic Service – 44 fewer than the previous year, a drop of around 10%.

Despite the decline, two people lost their lives in wrong-way driver accidents, while one was seriously injured and 23 suffered minor injuries. In total, eleven accidents were recorded.

Styria Tops Regional Ranking

For the first time, Styria recorded the highest number of wrong-way drivers, overtaking previous hotspots. Lower Austria and Carinthia followed closely behind, while Vienna reported the lowest number of incidents.

While Styria and Burgenland saw a slight increase, all other federal states recorded a decline. The South Motorway (A2) remained the most affected route, with 64 reports, followed by the Tauern Motorway (A10) and the West Motorway (A1).

One particular stretch of the A2, near Lake Wörthersee between Klagenfurt and Villach, has seen the highest number of wrong-way drivers since records began. In 2024, this section, along with the Semmering Expressway (S6), each recorded 20 incidents.

The greater Villach area accounted for 16% of all wrong-way driver reports last year. In 2023, it was already Austria’s worst-affected region.

Most Incidents in Summer and at Weekends

The risk of encountering a wrong-way driver was highest in summer, with incidents peaking between June and September. August saw the most reports, with 49 recorded. The worst single day was 25 June, when seven incidents were reported.

Weekends were the most dangerous period, particularly Saturdays. Evenings between 9pm and midnight saw the highest number of reports, while the safest time was early morning between 6am and 9am.

The highest number of wrong-way driver reports ever recorded was 550 in 2004, while the lowest was 346 in 2020.

Authorities say the main causes remain “alcohol or drug influence, as well as confusion and distraction.”