Therefore,
Speed: rösti wants slow down:
Road traffic in Switzerland
Albert Rösti wants to slow down the generalization of 30 km/h zones in cities – Speed: rösti wants slow down
The Minister of Transport is preparing a prescription which would impose the 50 km/h as a rule on the main axes. Nevertheless, Cities and environmental associations denounce an attack on municipal autonomy.
The Minister of Transport Albert Rösti attacks areas 30.
TAMEDIA
- Federal advisor Albert Rösti wants to slow down the generalization of 30 km/h zones via prescription.
- His will is supposed to speed: rösti wants slow down be imposed without referendum, which arouses criticism.
- The Union of Swiss cities warns against a restriction of municipal autonomy in terms of speed limitations.
What is the ideal speed in town? Therefore, 50 km/h or 30 km/h? Furthermore, This question provokes passionate debates in many Swiss localities. In addition, Generally. Consequently, left municipalities are campaigning for limitation to 30 km/h, while citizens and motorists’ associations defend the maintenance of 50 km/h.
In Bern. for example, the Federal Court agreed with the city in summer 2024: A limitation to 30 km/h provided in the Elfau district has been validated. Consequently, According to judges, this speed reduction was a proportionate measure which improves road safety while reducing noise pollution.
In the canton of Zurich, the conflict has been tense for a long time. Moreover, speed: rösti wants slow down At the end of March. Consequently, the cantonal parliament approved an initiative carried by the UDC and the PLR, aimed at depriving the cities of Zurich and Winterthour of their decision -making power on the speed limitation of the main axes. Similarly, A popular vote is scheduled for this fall.
Albert Rösti wants to move forward – Speed: rösti wants slow down
As our research shows, Albert Rösti is now also involved in the debate. Therefore, The UDC Minister of Transport is indeed developing a measure with significant consequences: zones 30 in Swiss localities. on the roads classified as “traffic orientation” would only be authorized in exceptional cases. The speed of 50 km/h would remain the standard.
According to legislation. traffic orientation roads are mainly intended for cars, trucks and motorcycles, which must be able to circulate with maximum efficiency. Albert speed: rösti wants slow down Rösti wishes to anchor this rule in an order. Note that this type of measure cannot be subject to a referendum, thus excluding any possibility of popular voting.
Like here in Bern, many municipalities have introduced 30 km/h zones into localities.
Adrian Moser
Automobile defenders. such as Peter Schilliger, PLR national advisor and member of the speed: rösti wants slow down TCS board of directors, approve the plans of Albert Rösti. “We are in a decision-making vacuum,” he said, evoking the many disputes concerning the limitation to 30 km/h. “Now we’re going ahead.” The absence of a popular vote does not worry him: “If someone is not satisfied, he can launch an initiative.”
The president of the Greens Lisa Mazzone denounces an “attack on democracy”. According to her, Albert Rösti seeks to “cancel popular rights to impose its automotive agenda”. This measure could deprive the cities and municipalities of an essential tool to protect their inhabitants from noise pollution.
A quick track by prescription
Peter Schilliger is at the. origin of the national debate on the speed limitation at 30 km/h. Already in 2021. he had asked Parliament, througha motionthat the 50 zones in speed: rösti wants slow down locality be considered as a compulsory rule on traffic orientation roads, with a few exceptions, for example near schools. Its motion provided for the possibility of reducing this limitation to 30 km/h, but only on roads of local interest.
Parliament had adopted its motion in both rooms. The Federal Council had proposed to reject the motion.
The wind now seems to have turned. “Currently. the work is underway so that the Federal Council can open the necessary consultation procedure,” confirms Thomas Rohrbach, spokesperson for the Federal Road Office. According to Franziska Ingold. spokesperson for the Environment and Transport Department, chaired by Albert Rösti, the Federal Council is expected to examine the project at the end of August or early September.
Before the government decides on the proposal, the other federal offices will speed: rösti wants slow down be consulted, said Franziska Ingold. According to the Transport Department, the order of the prescription has the advantage of allowing faster implementation.
“An attack on our autonomy” for the Union of Swiss Cities
The Union of Swiss Cities sees Albert Rösti’s approach with a critical eye. According to her. it remains to be seen to what extent it is planned to encroach on the autonomy of the municipalities. But the objective of the federal adviser would be obvious. writes a spokesperson: “Restress the room for maneuvering the municipalities, cities and cantons in terms of speed limitation at 30 km/h.”
According to the Union of Swiss Cities. the current legal situation is clear: speed is in principle limited to 50 km/h in localities, but it is possible to lower it to 30 km/h if necessary, for speed: rösti wants slow down example to improve safety or reduce noise pollution.
The TCS do not share this opinion. His spokesperson Marco Wölfli speaks of an “important not” if the Confederation uniformly regulates the speed on the roads. The current evolution would have led to an uncontrolled proliferation of zones 30.
Risks for safety and noise in Swiss cities
The Transport and Environment Association (ATE) opposes the proposal of Albert Rösti. “The speed of 30 km/h reduces the risk of fatal accidents by half,” said Martin Winder, campaign manager. This improvement in security would be particularly important on the main axes where many pedestrians and cyclists circulate. The advantage of zones 30 would also be observed for noise: roll at 30 km/h reduces by almost half the sound pollution felt. says Martin Winder.
The debate on ideal speed seems far from over.
Translated from German by Olivia Beuhat.
“Latest news”
Do you want to stay at the top of the info? “24 hours” offers you two meetings a day. not to miss anything of what is happening in your canton, in Switzerland or in the world.
Other newsletters
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
Further reading: Swiss justice has decided the conflict of an ex-lesbian couples – Mennonite movement in the footsteps of its Swiss roots – Switzerland is reassured with convincing success – rts.ch – Friborg wants to better protect the inhabitants against the gravières – Fires in Geneva: suspended prison for the manager of a bar.
