As people are returning home from their summer vacations, drivers are likely to encounter massive bottlenecks on certain sections of Switzerland’s roads.
During the August 1st holiday weekend, an 11-km-long queue formed at the northern entrance to the Gotthard, with motorists having to wait two hours to cross the tunnel.
The Gotthard is notorious for massive traffic jams, but other Swiss motorways are no strangers to bottlenecks either.
Finding yourself in such a predicament is frustrating to say the least, and you may look for ways to get out of it any way you can, but unless you will miraculously grow wings and fly away, you must sit patiently in your car until the traffic clears.
Most importantly, you should avoid these temptations:
To get out of your car
It is not unusual, when the traffic is at a standstill, to see people get out of their cars to stretch their legs or talk to other drivers.
This may seem innocuous, but in fact you’d be breaking the law.
That’s because getting out of your vehicle on a motorway is only allowed to secure an accident scene. Otherwise, you could be slapped with a 20-franc fine.
However, in case of a long wait, the police are generally more tolerant — provided you stay close to your vehicle and not walk around.
Advertisement
Drive on the hard-shoulder
When the road is heavily congested, you may be tempted to use the hard-shoulder lane to reach the next exit.
However, this behaviour is not only disrespectful toward other drivers who, like you, are stuck in a jam, but it is also considered a traffic offence.
Put your car in reverse or make a U-turn
Not only are these actions risky on a congested road (or an active one), but these manoeuvres are banned for safety reasons.
If caught, you will be slapped with a 200-franc fine.
Advertisement
Weaving through the middle of cars on a motorcycle
When traffic is heavy, motorcyclists tend to slip between lines of cars.
This, however, is prohibited in Switzerland. Passing between lines, even while slowing down, is an offence.
The minimum fine for this kind of behaviour is 60 francs but could be more.
READ ALSO: The dos and don’ts of driving in Switzerland
