The belt requirement came later in Switzerland than elsewhere: decreed by the Federal Council in 1975, it was only introduced in July 1981 after a popular vote (which was only just accepted!). At first only at the front. Rear passengers have had to buckle up since 1994, car occupants since 1999. Many exceptions have been lifted, for example for taxi drivers or on tractors. Fine: 60 francs.
Since Blick reported on unjustified buses using the example of allegedly not wearing seat belts, many have asked themselves: Are there exceptions to the seat belt requirement? As a general rule, if there is a belt, it must be worn when driving. Good to know: This also applies to private property (e.g. supermarket parking lot), if it is not cordoned off or driving is explicitly prohibited. But rarely you can (but please don’t) click on the life-saving «click!» waive:
1. Maneuver at walking pace
At walking pace (rule of thumb: up to about 5 km / h) drivers (but not passengers!) Are allowed to do without the seat belt when maneuvering (e.g. parking). Frequent misunderstanding: reversing is not explicitly excluded, but only allowed over short distances and then only at walking pace.
2. Delivery service in the quarter
In the door-to-door delivery service in the neighborhood, for example, a postman or a parcel courier can do without the belt – but only at speeds of up to 25 km / h.
3. Medical certificate
In rare medically justified cases, buckling up is not reasonable. A medical certificate is required for exemption. If you submit this to the Road Traffic Office, you will receive an EU-wide valid document.
4. Field, forest and plant
On plant areas, forest and field paths, drivers and passengers may do without seatbelts if they are not traveling at more than 25 km / h. The same applies to drivers and passengers of work motor vehicles, tractors and motorized carts, if a maximum speed of 25 km / h is not also driven.
5. Public buses
Postbuses or other public buses that are approaching stop after stop – in the wording “licensed transport companies” in “regional scheduled transport” – are not obliged to wear a seat belt for either chauffeurs or passengers. In coaches, seat belts are compulsory for everyone on board!
6. Medical and handicapped transport
If people need to be looked after, the carers in the ambulance or in the transport bus for the disabled are allowed to do without the seat belt as passengers.
7. Classic cars without belts
In contrast to other countries, there is no obligation in Switzerland to retrofit old-timers without belts ex works (belts were only mandatory from 1972). If there were originally no belts in it, you can drive without them. If optional or retrofitted belts were once installed, then they have to be put on.
Campers in the security check: Death trap campers!(02:34)