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Hands-freeAustria

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Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Austria

171. Hands-free

Hands-free refers to using a telephone or communication system without holding the device in the hand. Hands-free operation can use the vehicle's built-in system, a headset, earphones, voice control or a phone secured in an appropriate holder.

Hands-free operation reduces the need to physically handle a device, but a conversation or interaction can still distract the driver. Drivers should therefore minimise device use and keep their attention on the road.

Hands-free
View from a vehicle travelling on the A42 motorway towards Bourg. (France)
Wikimedia.org • Benoît Prieur • CC0
What does hands-free mean while driving?

Hands-free means using a communication device without holding it. Calls can be handled through a vehicle system, headset, earphones, voice control or another permitted system.

Is hands-free phone use completely distraction-free?

No. Even when the driver does not physically handle the phone, a conversation or interaction with a device can reduce attention to traffic. Drivers should keep such use to a minimum.

Does hands-free use allow you to hold the phone?

No. Holding a telephone while calling is not hands-free use. Whether handheld or mounted-device use is legally permitted depends on the traffic rules of the country.

1 Austria 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Cycling street 12 Pedestrian zone 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Give way to oncoming traffic 24 Railway crossing 25 Mandatory direction 26 Turn prohibition 27 School area 28 Overtaking 29 Crossing animals 30 Wrong-way driving 31 Roadworks 32 Height limit 33 Width limit 34 Weight limit 35 Priority at the next junction 36 Traffic lights 37 Pedestrian lights 38 Speed feedback 39 Driving licence 40 Location marker 41 Traffic mirror 42 Emergency telephone 43 International border 44 Cycling route 45 Parking 46 No parking 47 No stopping 48 Disabled parking 49 Reversing 50 Uncontrolled crossroad 51 Road surface 52 Provisional licence 53 Runaway truck ramp 54 City limit 55 Cyclist crossing 56 Horn 57 Licence plate 58 Charging station 59 Dangers 60 Cyclist 61 Bus 62 Police 63 Ambulance 64 Police signals 65 European emission standard 66 Pothole 67 Private property 68 Path 69 Particulates 70 Air pollution 71 Rush hour 72 Road code 73 Street gutter 74 Cargo bike 75 Forestry vehicle 76 Construction vehicle 77 Semi-trailer truck 78 Trolleybus 79 Speed pedelec 80 Delivery vehicle 81 Idling 82 Tow truck 83 Four-wheel drive 84 No vehicles 85 Bicycle 86 Motorcycle equipment 87 Tram 88 Rail track 89 Caravan 90 Trailer 91 Tow hitch 92 Fire truck 93 Siren 94 Convoy 95 Emergency vehicle lighting 96 Agricultural machinery 97 Electric bicycle 98 Electric vehicle 99 Pedelec 100 Quadricycle ... 101 Microcar 102 All-terrain vehicle 103 Van 104 Recreational vehicle 105 Scooter 106 Trikke 107 Personal mobility device 108 Skateboard 109 Segway 110 Kick scooter 111 Roller skates 112 Mailman 113 Hitchhiker 114 Toddler 115 Child 116 Disability 117 Motorail 118 km/h 119 mph 120 Speedometer 121 National speed 122 Ride height 123 Dirt road 124 Driving 125 Start-stop system 126 Manual transmission 127 Automatic transmission 128 Throttle 129 Tachometer 130 Steering wheel 131 Power steering 132 Visual scanning 133 Mirror 134 Fuel 135 Fuel gauge 136 Petrol 137 Diesel 138 Diesel exhaust fluid 139 Car insurance 140 First aid kit 141 Fire extinguisher 142 High-visibility clothing 143 First aid 144 Guardrail 145 Concrete step barrier 146 Bollards 147 Barriers 148 Vehicle lights 149 Street lights 150 Dipped beam 151 High beam 152 Fog lights 153 Front fog lights 154 Rear fog lights 155 Side lights 156 Turn signals 157 Hazard lights 158 Dashboard lights 159 Bicycle lighting 160 Bicycle bell 161 Headlight flashing 162 Seat belt 163 Child restraints 164 Head restraints 165 Airbag 166 ABS 167 Esp 168 Traction control system 169 Helmet 170 Bicycle helmet 171 Hands-free 172 Smartphone 173 GPS 174 Brake 175 Handbrake 176 Brake fluid 177 Tyres 178 Tyre code 179 Winter tyres 180 Tyre pressure 181 Snow chains 182 Bicycle tyre 183 Continuous track 184 Gross Vehicle Weight 185 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 186 Cargo 187 Car body 188 Trunk 189 Roof rack 190 Windscreen 191 Emergency hammer 192 Car battery 193 Traction battery 194 Suspension 195 Shock absorber 196 Spring 197 Exhaust 198 Exhaust gas 199 Soot 200 Catalytic converter 201 Engine 202 Petrol engine 203 Diesel engine 204 Electric motor 205 Timing belt 206 Glow plug 207 Cylinder 208 Engine oil 209 Coolant 210 Maintenance 211 Spare tyre 212 Flat tyre 213 Jack 214 Vehicle inspection 215 Key 216 Dashboard 217 Windscreen wiper 218 Doors 219 Glovebox 220 Visibility 221 Rain 222 Fog 223 Hail 224 Sunlight 225 Sunglasses 226 Salt 227 Air conditioning 228 Hydroplaning 229 Distraction 230 Emotions 231 Road rage 232 Health 233 Epilepsy 234 Night blindness 235 Visual impairment 236 Fatigue 237 Defects 238 Traffic violation 239 Alcohol 240 Alcohol control 241 Ignition interlock device 242 Breath test 243 Breath analysis 244 Blood alcohol content 245 Blood test 246 Saliva test 247 Drugs 248 Medication 249 Penalties 250 Speeding 251 Smoking 252 Traffic enforcement camera 253 Accident 254 Injuries 255 Nosebleed 256 Damage 257 Breakdown 258 Warning triangle 259 Traffic rules 260 Driving school 261 Traffic signs