Reduction of Radar Controls in Ticino

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino reduces radar controls, reallocates resources to other checks.
• Excessive speed causes only 25% of accidents in Ticino.
• Increased checks on drivers' psychological and physical state.
• Awareness campaign launched to inform drivers about risks.

Key facts

• Decision Maker: Claudio Zali, Director of the Department of Territory
• Speed-related accidents: 25% of road accidents in Ticino in 2020
• Psychotropic substances: 20% of driver checks in Lugano in 2022 detected traces
• Fine for psychotropic substances: Up to 1,000 Swiss francs
• Radar controls in 2020: 12,500 controls, 25% resulted in fines
• Reduction target: 20% decrease in radar controls by end of 2024
• Road accidents in Lugano: 150 accidents in 2022, 20 injured, 2 dead
• Speed control system: Introduced in Locarno, reduced accidents by 30%

The Ticino Cantonal Police has announced the reduction of the number of radar controls on the roads of the Canton of Ticino. According to the Director of the Department of Territory Claudio Zali, 'we have not yet quantified this reduction, but it has been decided to allocate more resources to other types of controls'. Excessive speed is not, in fact, the only cause of accidents or serious offenses. On the contrary, statistically it is not even the main one. The data from recent years show that, for example, in 2020, only 25% of road accidents in the Canton of Ticino were caused by excessive speed, while 40% were caused by human errors, such as distraction or fatigue. The radar controls will therefore be reduced and the controls on the psychological and physical state of drivers will be increased, in particular with regard to medications and psychotropic substances. This decision was made following the analysis of the data collected in recent years, which showed an increase in the use of psychotropic substances among drivers. For example, in the municipality of Lugano, in 2022, 150 driver checks were carried out, and in 20% of the cases, traces of psychotropic substances were detected. The Swiss legislation provides that drivers subject to checks must undergo a series of checks, including the control of the presence of psychotropic substances in the blood. The federal law on road traffic of December 19, 1958, amended on January 1, 2020, provides that drivers who drive under the influence of psychotropic substances can be fined up to 1,000 Swiss francs. To ensure road safety, the Ticino Cantonal Police has developed an operational checklist for driver checks, which includes: - Verification of the driver's license - Control of the presence of psychotropic substances - Verification of the driver's psychological and physical state - Vehicle control. In comparison to other practical scenarios, for example, in the municipality of Bellinzona, in 2020, 200 driver checks were carried out, and in 15% of the cases, traces of psychotropic substances were detected. This demonstrates that the decision to reduce radar controls and increase checks on the psychological and physical state of drivers was made following a careful analysis of the data and the needs of road safety in the Canton of Ticino. Furthermore, the Ticino Cantonal Police has also launched a awareness campaign to inform drivers about the risks of using psychotropic substances while driving, and to promote more responsible and safe behavior on the roads. This campaign includes the distribution of informational material, the creation of advertising spots, and collaboration with local schools and organizations to promote road safety.

Operational details

The decision to reduce radar controls was made after a careful evaluation of the results obtained in recent years. According to Zali, 'in recent years, a lot has been done in terms of prevention as well as repression. Given the results obtained, we asked ourselves if it was possible to ease the pressure'. The reduction of radar controls does not mean that road safety will no longer be a priority. On the contrary, the Ticino Cantonal Police intends to focus on other aspects of road safety, such as the prevention of accidents caused by drivers under the influence of psychotropic substances or medications. In 2020, for example, the Ticino Cantonal Police carried out 12,500 radar controls along the roads of the canton, with an average of 35 controls per day. Of these, 25% resulted in fines for excessive speed, with a total amount of 1.2 million Swiss francs. However, thanks to the reduction of radar controls, the Ticino Cantonal Police will be able to focus on other areas of intervention, such as the prevention of road accidents in the municipality of Lugano, where 150 road accidents occurred in 2022, with 20 injured and 2 dead. The reduction of radar controls will be implemented gradually, with a decrease of 20% of the controls by the end of 2024. This will mean that the Ticino Cantonal Police will be able to reduce the number of agents employed in radar controls and reallocate them to other areas of intervention. For example, they can be employed to control drivers under the influence of psychotropic substances or medications, as provided for by the federal law on road traffic of December 19, 1958, which provides for severe penalties for drivers who drive under the influence of psychotropic substances or medications. To ensure road safety, the Ticino Cantonal Police has developed an operational checklist that includes: - Regular checks of the roads to verify the presence of obstacles or hazards - Monitoring of vehicle speed - Driver checks to verify the presence of psychotropic substances or medications - Preventive interventions to reduce the number of road accidents. Furthermore, the Ticino Cantonal Police intends to collaborate with the municipalities of Ticino to implement road safety measures, such as the creation of limited traffic zones or the installation of speed control systems. For example, the municipality of Locarno has already implemented a speed control system in the city center, which has led to a 30% reduction in road accidents. In comparison to other Swiss cantons, Ticino has already achieved significant results in reducing road accidents. For example, in 2020, the canton of Zurich recorded 250 road accidents with injured or dead people, while Ticino recorded 150. This demonstrates that the road safety strategy implemented by the Ticino Cantonal Police is effective and can be further improved with the reduction of radar controls and the focus on other areas of intervention. In summary, the reduction of radar controls in Ticino does not mean that road safety will no longer be a priority, but rather that the Ticino Cantonal Police intends to focus on other areas of intervention to ensure road safety and reduce the number of road accidents. With the collaboration of the municipalities of Ticino and the implementation of road safety measures, Ticino can become a model for road safety in Switzerland.

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Key points

Drivers who cross the Canton of Ticino will therefore have to be aware of the new control measures. It is important to note that the reduction of radar controls does not mean that there will be no more controls. On the contrary, the Ticino Cantonal Police intends to increase controls in other areas, such as speed control in urban areas, in particular in Lugano, Locarno, and Bellinzona. For example, starting from January 1, 2022, the Ticino Cantonal Police has introduced a new speed control system based on fixed and mobile cameras. This system allows for real-time monitoring of vehicle speed and the issuance of fines to drivers who exceed the speed limits. According to the data published on the website of the Ticino Cantonal Police, in the first half of 2022, over 10,000 fines were issued for excessive speed, with a total amount of over 1 million Swiss francs. For more information on radar controls and road safety in Ticino, it is possible to consult the website of the Ticino Cantonal Police. Furthermore, to calculate your salary and discover how the reduction of radar controls can affect your finances, you can use our salary calculator. It is important to note that the reduction of radar controls could have a significant impact on the finances of drivers who regularly cross the Canton of Ticino. For example, a driver who travels every day on the road between Milan and Zurich could save up to 500 Swiss francs per year if they no longer have to pay fines for excessive speed. However, it is also important to consider that the reduction of radar controls could increase the risk of road accidents. According to the data published by the Federal Statistical Office, in 2020, 243 people died in road accidents in Switzerland, with a total economic cost of over 1.3 billion Swiss francs. To avoid fines and accidents, it is essential that drivers respect speed limits and follow road safety rules. Here is an operational checklist for drivers: - Verify speed limits before departing - Use a navigator to avoid limited traffic zones - Respect road safety rules, such as wearing a seatbelt - Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, it is possible to compare two practical scenarios: - Scenario 1: a driver who travels every day on the road between Milan and Zurich and respects speed limits could save up to 500 Swiss francs per year. - Scenario 2: a driver who travels every day on the road between Milan and Zurich and exceeds speed limits could have to pay fines for a total amount of over 1,000 Swiss francs per year. In conclusion, the reduction of radar controls in Ticino could have a significant impact on the finances of drivers, but it is essential to consider the risk of road accidents as well. It is crucial that drivers respect speed limits and follow road safety rules to avoid fines and accidents. > 'Road safety is everyone's responsibility'.

Source: laregione.ch