Contemplates Reducing Speed Limit on Highways in Switzerland
Speeding Up the Debate: Lowering Motorway Speed Limits in Switzerland
Can't seem to get there fast enough? Think again.
A significant chunk of voters turned a deaf ear to the proposal for extending transportation lanes, despite Transport Minister Albert Roested's warnings about potential traffic jams, with motorists expected to waste around 48,000 hours annually if the plan doesn't sail through.
With Switzerland's population on the rise and an increasing number of motorists hitting the roads, traffic congestion could become a nightmare in the near future.
Enter Green Party MP Raphaël, who's put forth an alternative plan: reducing the motorway speed limit from the current 120 km/h to 100 km/h, and even down to 80 km/h on regularly congested sections.
This bold move seems to find a significant backdrop in a report from the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), suggesting that these motorways reach peak capacity when vehicles are cruising at around 85 km/h.
Lowering speeds by 20 km/h could yield additional benefits, such as cutting petrol consumption by 2 to 3 percent, a win-win for the environment.
Slam on the Brakes
Slapping on the brakes? Not exactly.
Way back in 2023, ASTRA had already suggested a reduction of the motorway speed limit to 80 km/h during peak travel times.
But what exactly constitutes "peak times"? Typically, this period stretches from 6 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm. However, these hours can vary depending on factors like the day of the week, stretch of highway, and events such as holidays, fairs, concerts, or sports events, according to ASTRA spokesperson Jürg Rothlisberger.
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"The impact of such events can significantly influence these high-volume periods," Rothlisberger admits.
A speed limit of 80 km/h is already part of the scene in certain sections of motorways, like near construction sites or during heavy traffic conditions.
"From 2026, we're aiming to implement these measures systematically, once we've perfected our algorithms and installed the necessary infrastructure, such as signaling systems, to support such a regime," Rothlisberger added.
READ MORE: Switzerland Mulls Reducing Speed Limits on Motorways
[Reference 1: Switzerland's current motorway speed limit. Reference 4: Specific implementation of reduced speed limits in certain sections of motorways.]
This article has been rewritten with a more conversational tone and additional clarification on current motorway speed limits.
- Surprisingly, the proposal to expand transportation lanes was met with resistance by a considerable number of voters, despite Transport Minister Albert Roested's warnings about impending traffic jams.
- Considering the growing Swiss population and the increasing number of motorists, traffic congestion is expected to become a serious issue in the foreseeable future.
- Green Party MP Raphaël is advocating for an alternative solution: lowering the motorway speed limit from the current 120 km/h to 100 km/h, or even 80 km/h on congested sections.
- Interestingly, a report from the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) indicates that motorways reach their capacity when vehicles are traveling at around 85 km/h, making speed reductions a viable option.
- Lowering speeds by 20 km/h could lead to significant benefits, such as a 2-3% reduction in petrol consumption, which would be beneficial for the environment and the finance sector, considering the automotive industry's dependency on oil.
