Driving Safety: Austria vs. South Korea Insights
When navigating the roads of Austria and South Korea, understanding the unique rules and regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. For instance, right turns on red are permitted in South Korea but not in Austria, highlighting essential contrasts for drivers.
Lanes
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
austria:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in South Korea |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
south korea:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay