30 km/h zones in cities, Federal Council intervenes (cross-border guide)

Context

The Federal Council has decided to amend the Ordinance on Traffic Signs to introduce speed limits of 30 km/h in cities. The municipal authorities will have to request a specific assessment before being able to introduce this limit. The Federal Council decided this at the request of Parliament, adopting an amendment to the ordinance on road signs.

The ordinance provides that municipal authorities must carefully evaluate the need to introduce speed limits of 30 km/h in urban areas. This requires a thorough assessment that takes into account road conditions, the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, as well as vehicular traffic.

The Federal Council has established that municipal authorities must request a detailed assessment before they can introduce speed limits of 30 km/h. This means that municipal authorities will have to carry out a detailed assessment of road conditions and vehicular traffic in the affected area.

Concrete examples

For example, the city of Lausanne has already introduced speed limits of 30 km/h in some urban areas. The assessment was carried out by a team of experts who carefully assessed the road conditions and vehicular traffic. The results of the expert report showed that the introduction of 30 km/h speed limits significantly reduced road accidents and improved the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Furthermore, the canton of Geneva has introduced a system of 30 km/h speed limits in some urban areas. The system was implemented through collaboration between municipal authorities and cantonal authorities. The assessment was carried out by a team of experts who carefully assessed the road conditions and vehicular traffic.

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Operational details

The Government has made a further change to the ordinance, in order to preserve the fluidity of circulation in the main road arteries with a limit of 30 km/h. In principle, priority on the right will be excluded, to avoid delays and congestion.

The measure was launched to respond to the needs of safety and fluidity of circulation, especially in cities with dense populations and intense traffic. According to data from the Federal Department of Transport, published in 2022, 70% of road collision victims are pedestrians and cyclists. The priority is to reduce the number of accidents and improve the safety of means of transport.

In Switzerland, the speed limit has been lowered to 30 km/h in many cities, such as Bern, Zurich and Geneva. The city of Zurich, for example, saw a 20% drop in road accidents after the introduction of the 30 km/h zone.

The amendment to the ordinance provides that the main roads with a speed limit of 30 km/h are excluded from the right of way. This means drivers will no longer have the right of way if they are in a 30km/h zone. The measure was launched to reduce the number of accidents and improve traffic safety.

Here are some examples of how the new rule will work:

• If you are in a 30 km/h zone and want to turn right, you will have to wait for other means of transport to pass first. If you are in a 30 km/h zone and want to continue straight, you will have to wait for other means of transport to pass first before continuing. If you are in a 30 km/h zone and want to turn left, you can continue without waiting for other means of transport to pass first.

The new rule will be applied in all cities with main roads with a speed limit of 30 km/h. The effective date is scheduled for January 1, 2024.

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Key points

The Federal Council's decision aligns with EU directives and suspends facilities to strengthen repatriations in the Schengen area. The 30 km/h limit can also be introduced exclusively for the purpose of improving the quality of life, or in the absence of reasons related to safety or environmental protection.

The Federal Council has established that Swiss cities will be able to introduce 30 km/h zones without having to justify the action on safety or environmental protection grounds. This decision aligns with EU directives and aims to strengthen returns to the Schengen area.

According to the Federal Road Traffic Act of 1970, Swiss cantons can introduce 30 km/h zones to improve the quality of life. This law provides that the cantons must justify the introduction of 30 km/h zones on safety or environmental protection grounds. However, the Federal Council has determined that these reasons are not necessary for introducing 30 km/h zones.

For example, the city of Bern introduced a 30 km/h zone in the historic center in 2019. According to the city, the introduction of this 30 km/h zone has improved the quality of life of residents and visitors by reducing the average speed of vehicles and increasing the safety of pedestrians.

The city of Zurich also introduced a 30 km/h zone in the historic center in 2020. According to the city, the introduction of this 30 km/h zone has reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality.

The Federal Council has established that Swiss cantons will be able to introduce 30 km/h zones without having to justify the action on safety or environmental protection grounds. This decision aligns with EU directives and aims to strengthen returns to the Schengen area.

Example of operational checklists

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