https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed A new study has highlighted the shortcomings in Swiss driving aptitude tests for seniors, proposing a more ‘standardised’ approach instead. But what are the current rules? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260513/how-older-people-in-switzerland-need-to-prove-they-are-fit-to-drive Wed, 13 May 2026 13:15:38 +0200 how-older-people-in-switzerland-need-to-prove-they-are-fit-to-drive Switzerland's Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) is warning motorists about the heavy traffic expected on some of the country's roads during the two holiday holiday weekends in May, and one in June. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260512/the-roads-in-switzerland-to-avoid-over-ascension-and-pentecost-weekends Tue, 12 May 2026 10:41:14 +0200 the-roads-in-switzerland-to-avoid-over-ascension-and-pentecost-weekends Switzerland has been pretty lax concerning the use of helmets for electric scooter riders, but the move to change this is now under way. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260420/switzerland-could-make-helmets-mandatory-for-e-scooters Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:51:43 +0200 switzerland-could-make-helmets-mandatory-for-e-scooters In the past several years, the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) has identified nearly 950 high-accident zones on Switzerland's road network. What is being done to improve safety there? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260407/swiss-government-vows-to-improve-safety-on-countrys-most-dangerous-roads Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:45:25 +0200 swiss-government-vows-to-improve-safety-on-countrys-most-dangerous-roads Geneva voters will have to decide on a law that would ban any speed limit below 50 km/h on major roads of the Swiss canton. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260403/geneva-residents-to-vote-on-speed-limits-in-bid-to-reduce-jams Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:49:20 +0200 geneva-residents-to-vote-on-speed-limits-in-bid-to-reduce-jams In March, MPs voted in favour of introducing a fee for foreign drivers who merely transit through Switzerland without spending any time here. Many questions about the logistics of the new measure still remain unanswered, not least the fee itself. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260401/transit-tax-how-much-will-foreign-drivers-pay-to-pass-through-switzerland Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:23:27 +0200 transit-tax-how-much-will-foreign-drivers-pay-to-pass-through-switzerland Due to holiday travel, Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) warns of long traffic jams and other significant disruptions on Switzerland’s motorways over the Easter period. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260330/avoid-the-jams-what-you-should-know-about-driving-in-switzerland-this-easter Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:39:17 +0200 avoid-the-jams-what-you-should-know-about-driving-in-switzerland-this-easter War in the Middle East has caused energy market volatility around the globe, forcing governments in Europe to intervene and keep fuel costs down for consumers. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260328/what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:13:15 +0100 what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down After a long-winded debate in the Parliament, deputies have voted in favour of introducing a fee for foreign drivers who merely transit through Switzerland without spending any time here. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260320/what-we-know-about-switzerlands-new-transit-tax-for-foreign-drivers Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:17:21 +0100 what-we-know-about-switzerlands-new-transit-tax-for-foreign-drivers If you are planning to travel to the Swiss Alps in the coming days, know that some railway lines and roads are currently closed. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260218/where-in-switzerland-is-rail-and-road-traffic-disrupted-due-to-snow Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:07:33 +0100 where-in-switzerland-is-rail-and-road-traffic-disrupted-due-to-snow Winter driving in Switzerland can be hazardous if your vehicle is not properly equipped. We explain what you should know before you drive in snowy weather. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210126/three-important-rules-about-driving-in-snow-on-swiss-roads Tue, 26 Jan 2021 14:41:57 +0100 three-important-rules-about-driving-in-snow-on-swiss-roads Certain motorways in Switzerland, especially those near urban centres, are more prone to congestion. The government has plans to prevent them. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260130/the-roads-in-switzerland-where-the-government-plans-to-eliminate-traffic-jams Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:52:20 +0100 the-roads-in-switzerland-where-the-government-plans-to-eliminate-traffic-jams An analysis of petrol and diesel prices shows that filling up doesn't cost the same everywhere in Switzerland. It is often cheapest at small gas stations in rural areas. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260121/where-in-switzerland-can-you-find-the-cheapest-petrol-in-2026 Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:28:38 +0100 where-in-switzerland-can-you-find-the-cheapest-petrol-in-2026 As construction sites are multiplying throughout Geneva, the streets of Switzerland’s second-largest city are continually congested, with residents and local businesses complaining about this “untenable situation.” https://www.thelocal.ch/20250603/why-has-traffic-in-geneva-become-a-nightmare-for-residents Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:10:20 +0200 why-has-traffic-in-geneva-become-a-nightmare-for-residents Anyone driving through Switzerland from one neighbouring country to another – that is, foreign motorists – could soon be obligated to pay a transit fee. What is this about? https://www.thelocal.ch/20250930/how-switzerlands-new-tourist-transit-tax-for-motorists-could-impact-you Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:14:12 +0200 how-switzerlands-new-tourist-transit-tax-for-motorists-could-impact-you Anyone driving through Switzerland from one neighbouring country to another – that is, foreign motorists – could soon be obligated to pay a transit fee. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260122/switzerlands-transit-tax-for-foreign-drivers-moves-one-step-closer-to-reality Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:51:29 +0100 switzerlands-transit-tax-for-foreign-drivers-moves-one-step-closer-to-reality Swiss authorities are increasingly relying on 80 km/h limits on motorways during peak hours to prevent traffic jams and emissions. But not everyone is on board with this measure. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260105/it-creates-traffic-jams-does-cutting-speed-limit-on-swiss-motorways-work Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:43:34 +0100 it-creates-traffic-jams-does-cutting-speed-limit-on-swiss-motorways-work New rules pertaining to vehicle registration and driving, among others, came into effect in Switzerland from January 1st. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251215/the-new-swiss-driving-rules-to-know-about-in-2026 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:55:54 +0100 the-new-swiss-driving-rules-to-know-about-in-2026 Road authorities in Switzerland have warned that the Christmas and New Year period could see heavy traffic on Swiss motorways, but asked drivers to avoid taking diversions on secondary roads. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251212/swiss-traffic-chiefs-reveal-the-roads-to-avoid-over-christmas Fri, 12 Dec 2025 15:03:52 +0100 swiss-traffic-chiefs-reveal-the-roads-to-avoid-over-christmas As it does each year, the 2026 motorway toll sticker went on sale on Monday December 1st, at the same price as before - 40 francs. But there are ways for you to pay less. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251201/how-you-can-save-money-on-your-2026-swiss-motorway-vignette Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:38:43 +0100 how-you-can-save-money-on-your-2026-swiss-motorway-vignette