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DRIVING

EXPLAINED: The rules for when to switch on car lights in Switzerland

If you are going to drive in Switzerland (or are already driving here), you should know the road rules that apply to all vehicles. Yet, many drivers do not know when to switch on which car light. Here's the low-down on the different types of lights and their correct use.

Driving on motorway
When do you have to switch on which car light on Swiss roads? Image by tookapic from Pixabay

Unlike in many European countries, you must leave your headlights on when driving in Switzerland during the day. This law, which came into force on January 1st 2014, applies to all motor vehicles, including two-wheelers. Failure to do so will result in a fine of 40 Swiss francs.

Moreover, Switzerland differentiates between daytime running, low beam, high beam, parking, and fog lights, and it is crucial to ensure you have the appropriate light switched on for the time of day and/or weather.

So, which light do you need to switch on when?

Low beam lights

Drivers in Switzerland must switch on their low beam lights during heavy rain, snow, fog, night-time, poor visibility, in a tunnel, or whenever there is insufficient lighting. This is because daytime running lights are considered too weak and work without the rear lights being switched on.

If you’re looking to avoid a fine at all costs, then always double check your low beam lights are switch on – even if you happen to have a car that turns them on automatically as the detectors may not respond accurately.

READ MORE: The dos and don’ts of driving in Switzerland

Parking lights

As the name suggests, drivers must turn on their parking light whenever they are parked in the dark or wherever there is a lack of visibility, especially in quieter regions.

Coincidentally, if you come to a stop for a longer time 9closed railway barriers, traffic light at construction sites and similar), but are not parked, you are also encouraged to switch from low beam to the parking lights. This is particularly the case if you stop next to a road.

You will not need to switch on your parking lights if you are parked in a marked parking space (blue or white zone), or in a well-lit area.

READ MORE: What are Switzerland’s complicated parking rules?

High beam lights

The high beam lights, or headlights, should only be used as in conjunction with the low beam lights if visibility is not sufficient, for instance, when driving on dark forest roads at night.

However, headlights must be switched off whenever a vehicle approaches you from the opposite way or whenever you are crossing paths with a train on a railway line that runs directly alongside a road.

Likewise, you must switch your headlights off when driving in a queue or reversing.

If you’re driving near pedestrians or in cities, towns, and villages, avoid turning your headlights on altogether.

Fog lights

If you’re hitting the road in particularly foggy weather, then you should switch on your fog lights. The same goes for when visibility is poor as a result of driving snow or heavy rain.

However, according to the Swiss Traffic Rules Ordinance visibility must be significantly reduced in order for you to be allowed to switch on your fog lights and it is crucial you do not misuse them as this can be very dangerous for other drivers.

So, if the fog is not severe and visibility is good, you must not switch on your fog lights under any circumstances, whether you are in a queue, on the motorway, or driving any other road.

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TRAVEL NEWS

Closure of A13 motorway: The alternative routes from Switzerland to Italy

As summer school break in many Swiss cantons is about to begin, your plans to drive south for the holidays may be seriously disrupted by the closure of one of the main routes between Switzerland and Italy.

Closure of A13 motorway: The alternative routes from Switzerland to Italy

Italy is one of the most favourite summer destinations for many Swiss families: not only is it geographically close enough to get there by car, but it also has abundance of beaches and good weather is almost guaranteed.

But driving to Italy this summer, especially in the next few weeks, will be no simple matter.

Recent massive thunderstorms unleashed a landslide of mud and rubble, which destroyed a part of the north-south axis of the A13 motorway.

The collapsed section, between Thusis (GR) and Bellinzona (TI), is an important throughway for both passenger and commercial traffic, as it connects Switzerland with Italy.

The San Bernardino Pass, which straddles the A13, is consequently closed to traffic, as are the impacted parts of the motorway.

They will remain closed ‘until further notice,’ which is a general and non-specific term — primarily because nobody knows for sure.

According to the Graubünden cantonal police, this section will remain out of service “for months,” while the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) said it expects “to be able to reopen the A13 in three to four weeks.” 

But even this slightly more optimistic forecast is not definite.

Roads will reopen within this timeframe “only under the assumption that there will be no ‘nasty surprises,’ according to FEDRO. “The clean-up work and reconstruction depends, among other things, on the weather.”

Either way, if you are heading south in the immediate future, expect, as Swiss media reported, “impending traffic chaos.”

To make matters worse, the cantonal road, which is normally used as an alternative, was also damaged by the storm, and is closed to transit and through traffic in both directions.

What alternative south-bound routes are there?

FEDRO recommends the Gotthard route — either via the tunnel or the Pass.

There are other options as well, though they will take longer:

In Switzerland:

  • Over the Oberalp and Lukmanier passes
  • Over the Julier and Maloja passes
  • Over the Albula and Bernina passes via Poschiavo
  • Over the Grimsel and Nufenen passes
  • Through the Lötschberg car transport and the Simplon pass
  • From the Brünig pass road via Grimsel and Simplon
  • Via Martigny over the Great St. Bernard

Alternative routes abroad, for which fees may apply:

  • Via South Tyrol
  • Via Geneva through the Mont Blanc tunnel
  • Via Geneva, Annecy and the Fréjus tunnel

Will you be able to avoid traffic jams on these alternate routes?

It is highly doubtful.

During the holiday season, there is almost always congestion and bottlenecks in front of the Gotthard Tunnel, the Great St. Bernard, and the Lötschberg.

Traffic could be lighter if you avoid peak travel hours and weekends, but don’t expect miracles.

You can find real-time information about traffic jams and road conditions here:

TCS

strassen.gr.ch

Should you travel by train instead?

It is always a good idea if you want to reduce your carbon footprint, and trains are typically a more relaxing and reliable way to travel.

Except this summer.

From June 9th, and for at least three months, the train service between Italian cities of Domodossola and Milan will be interrupted due to railway works, also disrupting travel between western Switzerland and Italy.

A bus service set up by Swiss national railway company, SBB, will run between the two cities, adding at least an hour to the trip in the best traffic conditions.

But train traffic to and from other countries — including France, Germany, and Austria — will be chaotic as well.

You can find more information about these disruptions here:

READ ALSO: Why you should not rely on trains to and from Switzerland this summer 

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