Hotspot Schattendorf

Next attack at the border: bollards paralyzed

Once again, the bollard system has been demolished, making it impossible to pass through.(Bild: Marktgemeinde Schattendorf)

Unknown perpetrators drilled into the safety loop below the asphalt - drivers are now being diverted in Schattendorf.

No peace and quiet between Schattendorf and Agendorf in Hungary since the local vignette requirement came into force for motorists: now unknown persons have struck again to deliberately disable the bollard system.

Damage deliberately caused
"First, the four movable road pillars were hit and directly damaged. They partially failed. When the damage was assessed, it was discovered that the rest of the system had also been ruined by heavy construction equipment," the municipal administration announced.

Specifically, militant opponents of the bollards had apparently drilled into the safety loop that runs under the asphalt using special tools in a cloak-and-dagger operation at Easter. "Whoever did this acted in a targeted and professional manner. After this damage, which probably amounts to a five-digit euro sum, the safe functioning of the bollards is no longer guaranteed," says the office.

Mayor Thomas Hoffmann wants to prevent disruptive actions with the utmost severity. "The police will rigorously pursue those who want to boycott our legally compliant border system for greater road safety with malicious intent," he says.

Not for the first time ... 
In July 2023, the laser technology used to record the location-based vignette on car windscreens was smashed with a hammer - causing €16,000 in damage. Another attack took place in December when the system went into full operation after a delay. Now the municipality wants to install video surveillance at the border, subject to an application to the data protection authority.

"There are good reasons for approval," says Hoffmann. The repair of the current damage will only be initiated if perpetrators can be deterred by video cameras and further disruptive actions can be prevented. The border passage in Schattendorf cannot currently be used even with an exceptional permit.