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Swiss police issue fines to dangerous ‘igloo drivers’

Police in the canton of Zug have warned so-called 'igloo drivers' – people who fail to properly clear ice and snow from their cars before getting behind the wheel – that they risk a steep fine and could even lose their licence.

Published: 22 January 2019 19:15 CET

Swiss police issue fines to dangerous 'igloo drivers'

This is how NOT to clear the ice from your car window in the morning. Photo:AFP

It’s one of the sounds of winter in Switzerland – the early morning symphony of ice being scratched off hundreds of car windscreens

And with temperatures hovering around 0C in much of the country in recent days, ice clearing activity has reached a peak.

Read also: Sneak preview – Switzerland's new on-the-spot fines for 2020

But police in Zug on Monday issued a statement saying they had been forced in recent days to pull over several drivers who had failed to properly clear ice and snow from their car windscreens, windows and side mirrors.

In one case, a driver had only scratched ice from half of the front windscreen, while in other cases police had encountered ice- or snow-covered side windows.

These ‘igloo drivers’ pose a risk to other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists, because their visibility is reduced, the cantonal police force said.

(Photo: Kantonspolizei Zug)

Zug police warned drivers that they risked fines and could even lose their licence if they failed to properly clear their cars of ice and snow before setting off.

They added that car roofs must also be cleared of snow and told drivers to give themselves enough time to get their cars safe before travelling.

Under Swiss law, windows, windscreens, side windows, and lights must be kept clean. In addition, number plates must be legible, so snow and ice must be cleared from these too.

People who pose a serious danger to other road users by failing to observe these or other Swiss traffic regulations could even face a prison sentence of up to three years.

Read also: A petrolhead's guide to driving Swiss mountain roads

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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