Contemplates Reducing Motorway Speed Limit in Switzerland
Revved-Up Gridlock: Switzerland's Imminent Traffic Mishap and a Green Party Solution
Swiss voters rejected the lane-extension proposal recently due to Transport Minister Albert Rösti's cautions about escalating traffic jams. If changes are not implemented, motorists could spend an daunting 48,000+ hours trapped in traffic annually. The situation is anticipated to become more bitter as Switzerland's population swells, inevitably increasing the number of motorists on the road.
From the ashes of rejection, Green Party MP Raphaël sparks a plan to tackle the transportation crisis. He suggestively lowers the speed limit on Swiss motorways from the current 120 km/h to 100 km/h, and potentially to 80 km/h on congested sections. This proposal is supported by a report by the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), suggesting that motorways effectively reach capacity when vehicles travel around 85 km/h.
The proposed reduction in speed limit would deliver benefits far beyond easing traffic congestion. Fuel consumption could lower by 2 to 3 percent, contributing positively to environmental safety.
Roll Back the Speed
Waxing nostalgic, the idea of slowing down our motoring pace is not revolutionary. Come 2023, ASTRA had pitched the concept of reducing the motorway speed limit to 80 km/h during peak travel times. These peak hours usually flare-up between 6 am and 9 am and 4 pm and 7 pm, although these hours may tinker due to factors like holidays, events, or weekday variations.
An ASTRA spokesperson, Jürg Röthlisberger, explains the variations in high-volume times, pointing out factors like vacation time, public holidays, or events as potential influencers.
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"Major events like trade fairs, concerts, or sporting events can also impact traffic flow," adds Röthlisberger.
Already, certain sections of the motorway impose a speed limit of 80 km/h in scenarios like construction sites or when traffic gridlock is forecasted. Come 2026, ASTRA aims to implement this policy more systematically, fueled by improved algorithms and integrated signaling systems to facilitate smooth functioning.
Hold Up: Does Switzerland Actually Plan to Enact a Motorway Speed Limit of 80 km/h by 2026?
Exploring public records and political declarations yields no concrete evidence of a planned motorway speed limit reduction to 80 km/h by 2026. Instead, Switzerland appears to focus on adopting advanced mobility regulations, such as automated driving ordinances effective from March 2025, and involvement in EU-backed trials for autonomous and demand-responsive vehicles. Yet there is no mention of a general motorway speed limit reduction to 80 km/h specific to peak travel times.
Stay tuned as Switzerland weighs the pros and cons of adjusting motorway traffic norms. Only time will tell if the Green Party's proposal will turn the wheels of change for the Swiss motoring landscape.
Increasing industry interest in autonomous and demand-responsive vehicles could pose a challenge to the Green Party's plan for a motorway speed limit reduction, as the Switzerland government seems more focused on adopting advanced mobility regulations like automated driving ordinances.
With the potential automotive impact of these advanced regulations on the horizon, it remains uncertain if the Green Party's proposal will have the necessary financial support to effectively alter motorway traffic norms in Switzerland.
