Selfies under scrutiny: Vienna police intervene over a popular photo spot

Fashionable decoration leads to systematic violations of traffic regulations

For several weeks now, dangerous situations have been recorded in the heart of Vienna, at the busy intersection of Kärntnerstraße and Walfischgasse. The cause is a large red Christmas bow installed as a decorative feature outside the fashion house Popp & Kretschmer, which has quickly become a magnet for photos.

Instagram hunters and tourists repeatedly cross the street on red lights, disregarding traffic signals and basic road safety rules in pursuit of the «perfect shot». Such behaviour not only provokes honking from frustrated drivers and sudden braking, but also poses a genuine threat to the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike.

In response, Vienna police have significantly increased patrols in the area. For several days, officers have been issuing warnings and urging people to comply with the rules. However, last Tuesday marked a turning point: law enforcement was forced to adopt stricter measures. Hundreds of young people who continued to cross the street despite red lights and direct police instructions were fined. Each violation carries a penalty of approximately 30 euros.

Authorities stress that these measures are primarily intended to ensure the safety of all road users, especially on weekdays and weekends when Vienna’s central streets are crowded with both tourists and local residents. Crossing on a red light or ignoring police instructions is now being punished rigorously, and officers intend to keep the situation under close observation.

There is hope that fines and increased supervision will help restore calm and order to one of the Austrian capital’s most popular and vibrant districts.

Photo: Instagram @poppkretschmerofficial