Where do I cross the road?
Where do I cross the road?
In Switzerland, under the Road Traffic Act (RTA), pedestrians have priority over other traffic on the road when using a pedestrian crossing, provided they do not step onto it unannounced. Pedestrians must use the crossings designated by the famous yellow stripes within 50 metres of where they wish to cross. The same rule applies to crossings above or below the carriageway within a radius of 50 metres.
Anyone who fails to use a pedestrian crossing, footbridge or subway within 50 metres of where they intend to cross a carriageway is in breach of the law and liable to a fine of CHF 10 per offence.
While this penalty may not seem much of a deterrent, it should be stressed that pedestrians using the carriageway outside a pedestrian crossing or pavement lose their right to priority, which is consequently given to vehicles using the road in accordance with the law.
In a ruling handed down in 2018, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court annulled the fine imposed on a driver who had hit a pedestrian while crossing the road at a distance of 6.5 metres from a pedestrian crossing, even though the pedestrian was crossing the road without paying attention to the traffic and while listening to music.
In its judgment, our Supreme Court recalled that those who comply with the rules of the road - in this case the motorist - should be able to rely on the principle of trust. On the other hand, anyone who fails to comply - in this case the pedestrian - and creates an ambiguous or dangerous situation cannot rely on the increased vigilance of other road users.
So the watchword for all pedestrians remains to be vigilant in all circumstances, especially when crossing a road outside a protected crossing!
