Vignettes: New prices and new categories from 2024

Starting in 2024, there will be a new freeway vignette, especially for occasional drivers in Austria. In addition, the prices will be newly staggered. Ten days, two months, or a whole year—that’s how long the familiar freeway toll stickers are valid, which have been stuck to windshields in Austria since 1997 or can now be redeemed digitally. A completely new fourth vignette will now extend these three versions into 2024. The government put this on track in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday as part of an amendment to the…

Read More

Experts warn of a dangerous heavy rain-hail-thunderstorm mix in Austria

The warm, late summer weather is over for the next few days. In some places, even a red warning level has been declared. Today, Friday will be divided into two parts: From Vorarlberg to Upper Carinthia, clouds dominate, and heavy rain sometimes falls. Otherwise, it will initially remain dry, and the sun will still shine frequently, especially in the east and southeast. In the afternoon, the rain will also spread to the north; in the northeast, isolated showers or thunderstorms will pass through. In the southeast, the wind will blow…

Read More

The right time for vaccinations

Since school started, it’s been hard to miss: More children and adults are getting sick. The COVID-19-based monitoring numbers are already rising, and an intense flu season could be on the horizon, too. You can protect yourself with vaccinations. But when is the right time for which vaccination? Regardless of the individual’s prior immunizations, only one coronavirus vaccination is advised this year. Appointments can already be booked online and by phone, says Katharina Reich, Director General for Public Health, in an interview with Ö1, adding that the vaccine delivery has…

Read More

Repair bonus restarts after fraud cases – this time customers have to pay in advance

According to the Climate Protection Ministry, a “second chance for electrical appliances” should be the repair bonus, And the repair bonus is now also getting a second chance. After accumulating fraud cases, the campaign was paused in the summer. As of September 25, it will continue with an “additional safety net,” according to the ministry. Up to 50% of the repair costs for damaged electrical appliances, including smartphones, toasters, televisions, and lawnmowers, are covered by the repair bonus. The maximum funding amount per repair is 200 euros. People residing in…

Read More

Are you constantly apologizing? Fight this annoying habit with these 5 tips

“Sorry,” “Sorry, my bad,” “I’m sorry—are you one of those people who apologize for everything? You’re not alone in that! Asking for forgiveness too often hurts your image and your self-confidence. That’s why it’s essential to learn to find the correct dose and only apologize when necessary. Why do I keep apologizing? According to Version Femina, women tend to apologize more frequently than men. But no matter the gender, over-apologizing doesn’t make a good impression and significantly impacts your self-esteem. You apologize several times daily for forgetting something, dropping it,…

Read More

Light products: Here’s why some people would do better to avoid them

Especially those who want to save calories and like to reach for light products. But an excellent conscience can, unfortunately, have its price because not everyone tolerates the sugar substitutes used. Everyone dreams of eating with pleasure, doing without anything, and still staying slim and slender. That’s why so-called light products are so popular. They promise the same taste as the standard version with far fewer calories. In the meantime, almost every food has a light version, including yogurt, sausage, cheese, and drinks. Unfortunately, not everyone can tolerate the sugar…

Read More

Covid, influenza, RSV: Who should be vaccinated when and with what?

For COVID-19, 38 people were hospitalized in Austria in the middle of July; however, the data are incomplete. In the week ending September 10, 183 people were hospitalized. A new wave of COVID is therefore building up, as also shown by the data from wastewater monitoring. The virus load measured in wastewater from sewage treatment plants corresponds to April. Since Monday, the new COVID-19 vaccine has also been available at the first vaccination sites. In the next few days or at the beginning of next week, all doctors who will…

Read More

Summer weather in autumn: will we get a golden October?

Summer in Austria has offered us a lot of variety in terms of weather. From sun to rain and storms to heavy thunderstorms and hail, everything has been there. Can autumn bring back a little stability in this respect? This year, the beginning of autumn falls on September 23. The penultimate season will be mostly dry, though subject to change, according to the 100-year calendar. Still, it’s worth taking a look at more current forecasts. Warm OctoberAfter an above-average warm September with temperatures of over 30 degrees in some places,…

Read More

Cell phone at the wheel: Distraction is the number 1 cause of accidents

Distractions like talking on the phone, texting, or drinking are the main causes of traffic accidents, accounting for 30% of collisions. In 2022, there were 10,000 176 distracted driving accidents on Austrian roads, resulting in 9,290 driver injuries and 76 fatalities. After a decline in the pandemic years, distraction accidents are now rising again. A new ÖAMTC study shows the effects of such distractions and that subjective perceptions of danger are often deceptive. “Making phone calls without a hands-free device increases the risk of accidents for drivers by about four…

Read More