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Roads and traffic in Switzerland
There are roughly 71,000 km of roads throughout Switzerland. Cantonal authorities, generally the Road Traffic Office, are responsible for most matters concerned with driving and motor vehicles. In cantons with navigable waters, the Road Traffic Office is often linked to the Swiss Maritime Navigation Office.The Traffic Rules Act (TRA) defines the effective rules in Switzerland. Before the generally accepted traffic rules, traffic signs and signals must always be respected.
The speed limit on motorways is generally 120 km/h, 100 km/h on motor roads, 80 km/h on normal roads outside towns and 50 km/h within towns. Driving in tunnels requires heightened attention: maintaining sufficient distance from the car in front of you and paying attention to traffic signals are mandatory.
Switzerland charges a fee for the use of motorways (green road signs). The vignette, which is a sticker applied to inside of the windscreen, costs a flat-rate price and is mandatory for motor vehicles and trailers up to a total weight of 3.5 t each. Vignettes can be purchased at customs offices, post offices, petrol stations, automobile associations and railway stations. They are valid from 1 December until 31 January of the year after the following year.
Since 1 January 2005, the legal blood alcohol limit in Switzerland is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
In Switzerland drivers and passengers must generally fasten their seat belts (front and back seats). Children under 7 must be secured in a child car seat or a similar special seat. Helmets are mandatory for all motorised two-wheelers, and as of March 2006 for trikes and quads. It is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving, except when using a hands-free system.
Information on road conditions and the traffic situation can be obtained by dialling 163 and is provided on the radio and on the Internet. In the event of a breakdown, assistance can be requested 24 hours a day by dialling 117. The police emergency number 117 and ambulance service emergency number 144 are free of charge.
- Driving licence and driving tests: provisional licences, applications, theory testing, practical driving tests
- Amendments to licences
- Technical information: on the importing of vehicles, tyres, trailers, engine emission control and modifications to the vehicle
- Vehicle registration: new registration, change of vehicle, sale of vehicle, cancellation of vehicle registration document
- Number plates: depositing, extending deposition, pulling a vehicle back on the road, new production, loss, replacement plates
- Vehicle tests
- Permits for exceptional vehicles and transports, night-time and Sunday journeys, special permits for working time and resting time
- Administrative measures: withdrawal of driving licences
- Road safety
- Inspection of shipping
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