Switzerland debates fining motorists who drive too slowly

While drivers in Switzerland don’t question the fact that speeding leads to a hefty fine, a new proposal submitted to parliament would also punish motorists for going too slow. Supporters argue the idea would improve road safety and help alleviate the country’s traffic jams.

New proposal would fine drivers for underspeeding

Under the proposal submitted by Swiss People’s Party National Councillor Walter Gartmann, "slow drivers on our roads should be educated and punished in the same way as speeding drivers". Though the police are already able to punish those driving at an “impedingly” slow speed, the proposal would impose a “speeding” style system of warnings and cameras to monitor offences.

Under Gartmann’s plan, drivers would be reminded of the speed limit by radio announcements or CarPlay on their mobile phones - the latter is already in place in places like the Gotthard Road Tunnel. If they persistently drive at least 10 kilometres per hour below the stated speed limit, dedicated cameras would be used to fine the offending motorists. 

Gartmann hopes the idea will be rolled out to major motorways and passes through the mountains. Speaking to 20 Minuten, he added that traffic should no longer be disturbed by motorists "who travel at a snail's pace, sometimes at 40-60 km/h, on Swiss highways and national roads, creating a traffic obstruction".

Underspeeding fines met with scepticism in parliament

So far, the proposal has been met with equal parts cautious enthusiasm and scepticism. Centre Party National Councillor Martin Candinas said that while “well-intentioned”, the problem did not warrant such a massive solution. "I don't see why the problem is now so big that it requires even more fines," he told 20 Minuten.

"The proposal is cheap in its approach, but it is also wrong in its content," Green National Councillor Michael Töngi added. He said that while he “never” sees anyone mad enough to drive 40 kilometres an hour on the motorway, he argued that lower speed limits should be imposed to limit fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Touring Club Switzerland spokesperson Andreas Käsermann added that Gartmann was “chasing a phantom” and that underspeeders are highly rare and not the main cause of traffic in Switzerland.