Road safety –
Radar money makes the Swiss political debate curl
Millions harvested in Zurich or Geneva. If the authorities invoke security, the grumbling rises and a popular initiative denounces a “scam”.
The number of fines for speeding in Geneva almost doubled between 2019 and 2023.
KEYSTONE
In the cantons of Vaud, Geneva or Zurich, Swiss road radars bring millions to communities, but their purpose is debated. While the authorities invoke road safety, many drivers and certain politicians see it as a disguised financial windfall, according to a survey of «Blick».
The income generated by radars are reaching heights in certain cantons. Zurich, an economic locomotive of the country, garnered 39.5 million francs in 2023 only thanks to speeding, and provides 61 million in 2024 for all road tickets. With its 338,100 fines issued last year for excessive speed, the city confirms its reputation as an offense hunter. In Geneva, the number of order fines punishing too high speed increased from 308,270 in 2019, to 578,330 in 2023.
National controversies
“The locations of the controls are chosen above all with a view to road safety,” said the Cantonal Police of Graubünden with “Blick”. Their objective would be to create “the subjective expectation of control” to encourage compliance with limitations. However, impressive financial figures nourish skepticism.
Lucerne stands out in central Switzerland with more than 20 million francs harvested, while Schaffhouse, despite its small size, managed to generate more than 7 million annually. Reported to its population, this canton is among the most “effective” in terms of verbalization.
The subject divides elected officials and feeds popular initiatives. The canton of Argovie will thus see its citizens vote in 2026 on the initiative “Stop the scam of radars”, which requires more transparent rules and a reduction in hidden controls. In Graubünden, a proposal aimed at half reducing the forecast budget of fines (from 14 to 7 million) was recently rejected by the Cantonal Parliament.
In Thurgovia, the police defend themselves by advancing radar statistics: only 0.25% to 0.34% of controlled vehicles are in violation. For the authorities, these low figures would justify the maintenance of controls as an effective preventive measure.
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