Switzerland to regulate 30 km/h speed limits in municipalities

Switzerland's Federal Council is set to implement new guidelines aimed at regulating the use of 30 km/h speed limits on main roads within municipalities. Responding to parliamentary requests, the government decided to provide clearer framework conditions for these speed reductions, effective October 1.

A key requirement under the new regulations is that municipalities must provide evidence that implementing 30 km/h limits on main traffic arteries does not lead to undesirable traffic diversions into residential neighborhoods. This measure aims to prevent the unintended consequence of shifting traffic congestion from primary routes to quieter streets.

Furthermore, the updated rules stipulate that the right-of-way principle will generally not apply on roads designated for general traffic with a 30 km/h limit. This is intended to ensure smoother traffic flow. The regulations also confirm that pedestrian crossings can still be established on these roads to enhance safety for pedestrians.

Notably, a previous proposal mandating the use of quieter road surfaces to mitigate noise pollution was abandoned following significant opposition from cantons, cities, and municipalities. While these surfaces are more effective at reducing traffic noise than speed reductions, their higher cost was a major deterrent. The Federal Council also reiterated that the introduction of 30 km/h limits in residential areas, or on local roads, remains permissible without the need for specific expertise, and can be implemented solely to improve quality of life.