Rosenheimer Landrat wants administrative assistants like in Tyrol - Upper Bavaria seeks tougher traffic bans to ease motorway chaos

Authorities in Upper Bavaria are pushing for stricter enforcement of through-traffic bans along the congested A8 and A93 motorways. Rosenheim District Administrator Otto Lederer (CSU) has called for changes, arguing that current measures are falling short. His proposals include using administrative assistants to ease traffic jams—an approach already working in neighbouring Austrian Tyrol.

The current system in Upper Bavaria allows traffic bans only when congestion occurs, unlike Tyrol, where restrictions are permanent. Lederer and Michael Siefener, deputy police president for the region, want clearer signage before motorway exits to improve compliance. They also suggest deploying administrative assistants, similar to Tyrol's model, to manage traffic flows during jams.

In Tyrol, exit bans have been enforced for six years with success. Last year alone, around 1.2 million vehicles were redirected, supported by automated cameras, mobile police checks, and fines up to €8,000. A digital traffic system with real-time monitoring via apps and drones further strengthens enforcement.

Bavaria's interior ministry has rejected the idea of administrative assistants, stating only police can regulate traffic. Currently, only officers can conduct checks, leading to criticism over weak enforcement. Police have redirected thousands of vehicles in recent months, particularly in Rosenheim, Berchtesgadener Land, and Miesbach. Additional officers, including riot squad reinforcements, may be deployed during the Easter holidays.

Lederer also highlighted the challenge of navigation apps, which often reroute drivers off motorways—something local authorities cannot control. Without clearer rules or enforcement, he warns, congestion and illegal shortcuts will persist.

Police will maintain checks, focusing on peak travel periods like Easter. The debate continues over whether Bavaria should adopt Tyrol's stricter model. For now, enforcement remains limited to police, with no immediate plans to expand authority to administrative staff.