Skip to main content

Switzerland likely to cut speed cameras by 50%

The Swiss National Council has approved a motion by Ulrich Giezendanner regarding the misuse of speed cameras. Giezendanner is convinced that the cameras are used to rip off motorists and he believes that they do not actually increase road safety on the majority of the country’s roads. If the Swiss Council of States votes for the motion as well, the Swiss Federation will only be allowed to approve radar speed cameras on Swiss national roads in areas that are prone to accidents. It is estimated that this wou
June 15, 2012 Read time: 1 min
The Swiss National Council has approved a motion by Ulrich Giezendanner regarding the misuse of speed cameras. Giezendanner is convinced that the cameras are used to rip off motorists and he believes that they do not actually increase road safety on the majority of the country’s roads.

If the Swiss Council of States votes for the motion as well, the Swiss Federation will only be allowed to approve radar speed cameras on Swiss national roads in areas that are prone to accidents. It is estimated that this would mean a reduction of speed cameras on Swiss public main roads and motorways by some 50 per cent. Critics of the motion, such as the road victim foundation Road-Cross, say they are worried that this will increase the number of accidents again.

Related Content

  • Autonomous driving – what can we really expect?
    June 6, 2016
    Dave Marples of Technolution BV looks beyond the hype to the practical implementation of autonomous vehicles. Having looked at the development of this sector for some time, I am concerned about the current state of autonomous driving development as engineering (and marketing) have run way ahead of the wider systemic, and legislative, requirements to support an autonomous future.
  • Unexpected benefits of red light cameras
    March 25, 2013
    According to the US National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR), red light cameras don’t only make roads safer for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike, they also keep communities safe in other ways. From 2011-2012, local police departments from 172 communities across the country requested 4,262 red-light safety camera videos for use in solving crimes. This video footage from key intersections has helped to determine fault in hit-and-run accidents, catch vandals, and even solve shooting investigations. O
  • The downside of driverless vehicles
    October 27, 2016
    Driverless cars will have a detrimental effect on congestion and security while the road safety benefits can be achieved sooner and cheaper using ADAS, argues Colin Sowman. Many Governments are consulting about the introduction of driverless vehicles and even running trials. As 70% or 80% of crashes are caused by human error, the promise of a crash-free future of driverless, self-driving or autonomous vehicles (call them what you will) is alluring, as are the claims of reduced congestion and lower emissions
  • High-mileage drivers more dismissive value of speed cameras, says survey
    July 27, 2015
    High-mileage drivers are more likely than any other type of road user to think speed cameras have ‘little or no influence’ in reducing the numbers of road casualties in the UK, according to a white paper issued by the Institute of Advanced Motorists’ (IAM) Drive and Survive division. The paper, Speed Cameras – The Views of High Mileage Drivers, also found 28 per cent of high-mileage drivers have a negative view of speed cameras – 10 per cent more than other drivers. It also found that more than half o