30 km/h zones: who has priority?

30 km/h zones: who has priority?

"I was driving in a 30 km/h zone when a pedestrian insulted me for not letting him pass. He claimed he had the right of way. Is this the case? And what about 20 km/h zones?

As a general rule, when you are on the road, you must make it easy for pedestrians to cross the road, particularly before pedestrian crossings. Your speed must always be adapted to the circumstances and you must be able to stop within the distance of your line of vision, as well as half that distance in the event of a difficult junction. In Switzerland, the general speed limit is 50 km/h in towns, 80 km/h outside towns, 100 km/h on semi-motorways and 120 km/h on motorways, unless other maximum speeds are indicated by signs. In towns and under certain conditions, it is possible to set up "30 km/h zones", "encounter zones" (more commonly known as "20 km/h zones") or "pedestrian zones".

Within "30 km/h zones", pedestrian crossings are only provided where there is a special need for pedestrian priority, so that pedestrians can choose where to cross the carriageway. However, pedestrians do not have priority over cars and motorcycles, even if they clearly state their intention to cross, except in the case of pedestrian crossings. It is only in "encounter zones" that pedestrians have absolute priority, and motorised vehicles, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards and even children's bicycles are obliged to let them pass; motorised vehicles must also give way to all other users of the zone. Pedestrian zones" are reserved not only for pedestrians, but also for roller skaters, rollerblades, scooters and children's bicycles, and only in exceptional circumstances may restricted vehicle traffic be authorised in these zones, by means of an additional sign; the walking pace is then the maximum speed and priority must always be given to pedestrians and other users of the zone. These different rules apply from the sign indicating the start of the zone to the signal marking its end. Once this signal has been passed, the general traffic rules once again apply.

For example, you are not obliged to give way to a pedestrian in a "30 km/h zone" if there is no pedestrian crossing, as this is purely a matter of courtesy. You are, however, obliged to give way to pedestrians when you are driving in a "contact zone" or a "pedestrian zone", provided that traffic is permitted in these zones.