Speeding in Switzerland
Discussion
A few of us are embarking on a road trip across Europe this year, and have read about how harsh the Swiss authorities are on speeding.
We'll be driving on many of the passes over there (Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel, etc) and I'm wondering what police/camera presence is like on these roads. I've seen threads on PH of people returning with multiple tickets, and this is something I'd like to avoid.
If anybody has been on a road trip over there hitting all of the mountain passes, your advice would be appreciated!
We'll be driving on many of the passes over there (Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel, etc) and I'm wondering what police/camera presence is like on these roads. I've seen threads on PH of people returning with multiple tickets, and this is something I'd like to avoid.
If anybody has been on a road trip over there hitting all of the mountain passes, your advice would be appreciated!
Not particularly proud of some of my past EU driving jaunts...
On the motorways I have been flashed a few too many times in Switzerland in the past with no further issues, and returned with same cars.
Some of the swiss passes do not have dedicated border control points actually on the border.
I came flying round one corner in the middle of nowhere well into switzerland on the san bernardino and two swiss police/customs guys were just stood in the middle of the road they must have heard me miles away, god knows why they stood there. Could have been very sticky. May be do a recce run.
However, as I am now older.. in the passes & mountain roads you should be driving to the roads so if there are any cameras, police, walkers, cows. you should really be driving with enough capacity to stop.
Jealous im not going back for a while, enjoy.
I've been over more than a few passes and don't ever recall seeing police or cameras. Depending on weather and time of day you're more than likely encounter a fair amount of traffic and soe of the passes are pretty narrow with not a lot in the way of barriers. just go and enjoy yourselves.
Plenty of videos here....
Just be wary of locals who don't always stay on their side of the road. Our lucky escape
Plenty of videos here....
Just be wary of locals who don't always stay on their side of the road. Our lucky escape
Edited by Aeroscreens on Saturday 23 April 20:47
My most recent trip involved zipping from Zurich to Chur to Ticino.
One or two mobile speed cameras which the Garmin told me about.
All fixed cameras were also called out.
Aside from that, not a lot of traffic enforcement.
Word of warning, in Switzerland, speed fines are a percentage of your annual income.
Depending on income, some fines can be eye-watering.
Also, if you see a 30 kph sign, obey it, to the letter. Exceeding that limit is taken overly seriously in my opinion.
Having said that doing 135 in a 120 will not raise many eye brows.
Seeing as you are in the area so to speak, why not go unlimited in southern Germany and see what 250 or even 300 feels like.
edited to add: If your satnav advises you to use the Gottard, avoid it as it can be badly congested.
One or two mobile speed cameras which the Garmin told me about.
All fixed cameras were also called out.
Aside from that, not a lot of traffic enforcement.
Word of warning, in Switzerland, speed fines are a percentage of your annual income.
Depending on income, some fines can be eye-watering.
Also, if you see a 30 kph sign, obey it, to the letter. Exceeding that limit is taken overly seriously in my opinion.
Having said that doing 135 in a 120 will not raise many eye brows.
Seeing as you are in the area so to speak, why not go unlimited in southern Germany and see what 250 or even 300 feels like.
edited to add: If your satnav advises you to use the Gottard, avoid it as it can be badly congested.
Edited by SirBlade on Saturday 23 April 20:52
Thanks for the advice so far, all really good. I'm not an advocate of going mad on the road to be honest, I save that for track days!
We've got a couple of de-restricted autobahn stints at the start of the trip. I'm in my FN2 so won't be getting much past 250km/h, but I would like to do a VMAX run if traffic allows.
Aeroscreen: Bloody lucky escape that! Wouldn't think you'd be walking away from a head on with an SUV in a 7.
We've got a couple of de-restricted autobahn stints at the start of the trip. I'm in my FN2 so won't be getting much past 250km/h, but I would like to do a VMAX run if traffic allows.
Aeroscreen: Bloody lucky escape that! Wouldn't think you'd be walking away from a head on with an SUV in a 7.
In 6 years living there I was caught speeding only once, at 3am whilst driving to the airport but a very hidden (camouflaged) mobile speed camera.
Mainly watch out at the end of tunnels as they seem to enjoy catching people driving too fast through them (and they can hear you).
They also seem to love waiting at zebra crossings near schools and catch people not stopping (even using people to pretend crossing).
Mainly watch out at the end of tunnels as they seem to enjoy catching people driving too fast through them (and they can hear you).
They also seem to love waiting at zebra crossings near schools and catch people not stopping (even using people to pretend crossing).
Bushi said:
Good link. In summary, stick to the in town speed limits, and do not go higher than 25kph over the posted limit on the motorways.If on the autobahns, check your tyres overall condition, and pressure, and bolts, maintain your times boxes, that is what they will prosecute you over. Then go for it
ps: Does not matter how fast you go, someone will be behind you, so be sure to move over *before the guy behind you has to lift off"
Simple answer is to stick to the posted speed limits.
The Swiss move their speed cameras around and are sneaky at hiding them.
Swiss drivers tend to obey the limits until they cross the border to neighbouring countries and then go ballistic.
On the passes, be very aware of cyclists.
And if you see a "postbus", it has the right of way over you.
The Swiss move their speed cameras around and are sneaky at hiding them.
Swiss drivers tend to obey the limits until they cross the border to neighbouring countries and then go ballistic.
On the passes, be very aware of cyclists.
And if you see a "postbus", it has the right of way over you.
SirBlade said:
Bushi said:
Good link. In summary, stick to the in town speed limits, and do not go higher than 25kph over the posted limit on the motorways.If on the autobahns, check your tyres overall condition, and pressure, and bolts, maintain your times boxes, that is what they will prosecute you over. Then go for it
ps: Does not matter how fast you go, someone will be behind you, so be sure to move over *before the guy behind you has to lift off"
Repeat offences
If you are caught speeding repeatedly, you will be banned from driving for a much longer period. In the case of excessive speeding violations, you will be banned from driving until it has been decided whether to permanently disqualify you. In addition, you will be assessed by a psychologist to see whether you are fit to drive.
911p said:
A few of us are embarking on a road trip across Europe this year, and have read about how harsh the Swiss authorities are on speeding.
We'll be driving on many of the passes over there (Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel, etc) and I'm wondering what police/camera presence is like on these roads. I've seen threads on PH of people returning with multiple tickets, and this is something I'd like to avoid.
If anybody has been on a road trip over there hitting all of the mountain passes, your advice would be appreciated!
Don't speed on main routes. Hideous fines. Really, really hideous,We'll be driving on many of the passes over there (Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel, etc) and I'm wondering what police/camera presence is like on these roads. I've seen threads on PH of people returning with multiple tickets, and this is something I'd like to avoid.
If anybody has been on a road trip over there hitting all of the mountain passes, your advice would be appreciated!
The passes are good, but be careful.
If you want a blast, find a side valley that doesn't go anywhere and with few towns, choose a quiet time of day and do a sighting run first. That said, don't be surprised if a local calls the local police on a group of Brits hooning. It won't be personal though, they'd equally call the police on their neighbour.
Seriously, be careful, the fines are up to 90x a days salary or prison for big speeding. Stick to France or Italy for real fun.
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