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‘Distracted’ drivers kill or seriously injure three people every day

Three people are killed or seriously injured on Swiss roads every day with inattentive drivers the leading cause.

'Distracted' drivers kill or seriously injure three people every day
kalinovsky /Depositphotos

According to the 2018 SINUS report from the Accident Prevention Bureau (BPA), 1,111 people were killed or seriously injured due to distracted drivers in 2017.

Mobile phones are said to be the biggest distraction. 

The report, published on Thursday, suggests men were 2.4 times more often killed in fatal incidents. Twice as many men were seriously injured compared to women.

However, the report also suggests that women are equally to blame for causing accidents.

In total, 3,654 people were severely injured and 230 people died in driving accidents in 2017.

Read also: Suspended sentence for driver who caused fatal accident while using smartphone

According to the report, inattentive driving or distractions among people between the ages of 18-24 cause significantly more accidents than older people.

75% of serious accidents are caused by motorists but it is pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists who pay the highest price; making up for 40% of the deaths.

Read also: Calls for legislation to protect cyclists on Swiss roads

This figure increases in localities as smaller roads see five times more incidents than motorways. Not giving priority to other vehicles is cited as the leading cause on these roads.

Speeding and drinking

Speeding drivers are said to cause two serious road injuries (including potential deaths) a day. Drivers who have consumed alcohol account for one.

But while accidents involving speeding and alcohol are less likely, when they do occur, the outcome is far more serious and results in more deaths than distractions.

Problems with roads and infrastructure deficiencies are said to ‘rarely’ cause accidents.

More information on road accidents and the entire SINUS report can be found (in French) on the BPA website.

For members

DRIVING

Where should you take your car for service and repairs in Switzerland?

If you own a vehicle, sooner or later you will need to have some work done on it. But it is important to know who in Switzerland can provide the best service.

Where should you take your car for service and repairs in Switzerland?

There is certainly no shortage of garages or auto mechanics in this country, who are ready and willing to work on your car.

In all, there are 16,232 garages across Switzerland, most of them located in the Zurich area, with Bern in the second place. 

However, regardless of where in Switzerland you happen to live, chances are there is a car mechanic in your area.

That’s a good thing, of course, but a mechanic — no matter how skilled — may not be able to do all the repairs you need.

Garages versus dealerships

A lot depends on what exactly ails your vehicle.

If you need regular maintenance or service — which usually includes checking the brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, oil, fluids, and lights, as well as performing an overall safety check — then any reputable garage can do the job.

Also, if you have been involved in an accident and need body work (on your car, not yourself), then a garage that has a bodywork shop will be a good fit.

Can you have your car repaired or serviced at a different garage from the one where you bought it?

According to Comparis consumer platform, “you are free to choose any garage. Minor repairs in particular, such as changing a windscreen wiper or buffing out a scratch, can basically be done anywhere.”

The only exception would be if your auto insurance excludes free choice of garage. and you must use only ones that your provider works with. 

(This is as good a time as any to remind you that car insurance is obligatory in Switzerland).

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about car insurance in Switzerland

However, there are times when you should not take your vehicle to just any garage, opting instead for the authorised dealer of your car’s brand, or its partner garages — especially when the car is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Why is this important?

 “Our partners undergo specialised training provided by the importer and hold licenses as mandated by the manufacturer,” Lucas Alvarez, a spokesperson for Hyundai Switzerland, told The Local.

“This meticulous preparation ensures that any warranty-related work can only be executed by these authorised partners,” he added.

This is valid for all manufacturers, regardless of the brand.

If you are not sure where these manufacturer-approved garages are in your area, go on the manufacturer’s Swiss website and contact their customer support team.

How long do these repairs take?

They could take a while, and not only because this is Switzerland.

The timeframe depends on what needs to be done, but prepare to be patient.

The pandemic had disrupted production cycles, with manufacturers having cut back orders for spare parts. There are also fewer automotive parts from Ukraine-based suppliers.

“It is unfortunately still the case that electronic parts require a certain delivery time and are also partly on backorder, so it may well be that it takes several months to receive certain parts,” Alvarez said. “Like most car manufacturers, we are dependent on the respective suppliers.
 

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