Voluntary Stopping
- A voluntary stop in Switzerland refers to a vehicle stopping in road traffic that is not necessary due to traffic flow. Examples of necessary stops include stopping in a queue, at a red light, or in a traffic jam.
- When stopping, the driver must, if possible, consider the following vehicles.
Stopping at Public Transport Stops
- Stopping closer than 10 meters in front of or behind public transport stops, as well as in front of fire stations and fire extinguishing equipment, is allowed only for letting people on and off. Public transport and the fire brigade must not be obstructed.
- Stopping on the adjacent pavement at public transport stops is prohibited.
- Zigzag lines indicate bus stops for regular public transport services. At these stops, drivers may only stop to let people on and off, ensuring that buses are not obstructed.
Stopping for Loading and Unloading
- Stopping to transfer goods next to parked vehicles is only allowed if it does not obstruct traffic. Parked vehicles must be allowed to leave immediately upon request.
- If vehicles for goods handling cannot stop safely away from traffic, they must avoid obstructing other road users and complete loading activities without delay.
- If stopping for goods handling could endanger traffic (e.g., on a winding mountain road), breakdown signals or warning posts must be set up.
Stopping in Front of Pedestrian Crossings
- No-stopping lines at the edge of the road prohibit voluntary stopping at the marked spot.
- Stopping is prohibited on and next to pedestrian crossings. If there is no no-stopping line, stopping is not allowed closer than 5 meters to the crossing.
- You may only stop in front of pedestrian crossings to allow pedestrians to cross. Otherwise, stopping or parking in front of or on pedestrian crossings is generally prohibited.
Signal “No Stopping”
- The “No Stopping” signal prohibits voluntary stopping. If located at the edge of the carriageway, it also applies to the adjacent pavement.
- Temporary exceptions to this prohibition may be indicated on an attached sign.
Stopping to Get In and Out
- Road users must not be endangered when getting in or out of the vehicle. Special care should be taken for traffic coming from behind (especially cyclists).
Stopping in Tunnels
- Stopping in tunnels is only allowed in emergencies. The engine must be switched off immediately.
Stopping Before Signals
- Voluntary stopping is prohibited in front of signals if it would obscure them.
Stopping on Level Crossings and Subways
Stopping Where Traffic is Obstructed
- Vehicles must not stop where they could obstruct or endanger traffic. Whenever possible, they should be parked in designated parking spaces.
Brusque Braking / Stopping
- Abrupt braking and stopping are only permitted when no vehicle is following and in emergencies.
Stopping in Columns
- When traffic slows down, drivers must not stop on pedestrian crossings and must avoid stopping on the carriageway for cross traffic at road junctions.
Stopping at the Roadside
- Drivers must stop off the road whenever possible. On the carriageway, they should stop only on the verge and parallel to it.
Stopping on the Left Side of the Road
- Stopping on the left side of the road is prohibited, except in certain situations:
- If there is a tram track on the right.
- If stopping or parking bans are signaled or marked on the right.
- In narrow streets with light traffic.
- In one-way streets.
Stopping at Blind Spots
- Voluntary stopping is prohibited at blind spots, especially around bends and crests.
Stopping in Bottlenecks and Next to Obstacles
- Stopping is prohibited in bottlenecks and next to obstacles on the carriageway.
Stopping on Single-Track Sections
- Voluntary stopping is prohibited on single-track sections, as well as next to safety lines and uninterrupted longitudinal lines, unless a clear passage of at least 3 meters remains.
Stopping at Intersections
- Voluntary stopping is prohibited on road junctions and within 5 meters before and after road junctions from the cross carriageway.
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