Mountain crossing

Mountain crossing

"I read your article about giving priority to the vehicle coming up mountain roads. Isn't it also customary for the vehicle that can manoeuvre most easily into a space where it can pass to pull over to the side, particularly if it meets a postbus?"

Article 45 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA) stipulates that when it is difficult to pass on mountain roads and roads with steep gradients, the vehicle coming down must stop first. However, the law and its implementing ordinance (OCR) specify that if the vehicle coming up is close to a turning place, it must stop and reverse.

However, when the parties concerned belong to different categories, heavy motor vehicles always have priority over light motor vehicles, even if they are in the process of alighting. Coaches also have priority over lorries. Art. 9 OCR therefore sets out the order in which vehicles of different categories must pass as follows: first road trains, then coaches, then only lorries and finally light motor vehicles.

Therefore, in the case you raise, i.e. a crossing between a car and a postbus, the latter always has priority over the car. The fact that it is getting on or getting off has no influence whatsoever. Moreover, Article 38 OCR requires all drivers to comply with the instructions given by the postbus driver.

Traffic regulations are clear on this subject, and it is advisable to comply with them to facilitate the flow of traffic and to avoid any risk of accident, without invoking any custom. Infringement of the rules of priority is a frequent cause of accidents, and the driver at fault is liable for all resulting damage, whether physical or material. Finally, as you know, failure to comply with traffic regulations is punishable by fines and administrative penalties. When in doubt about who has the right of way in a given situation, the prudent driver will therefore choose to stop rather than force his way through.