Red light means stop. Always and absolutely, except for emergency vehicles? There are two other exceptions. Firstly, the creation of space for emergency vehicles, secondly for bicycles with a corresponding additional signal at the light signal – and the third exception, which is often misunderstood, is not in itself and is practically irrelevant today.
The most important exception applies when every second counts: If an emergency vehicle comes on the alarm from behind and this is the only way to make room, you can drive over the red light – carefully, as long as you do not endanger anyone and as long as you do not take advantage of this to continue your own journey more quickly . Yes, even if this is not explicitly stated in the law. Why is this and why is it so important? Because otherwise there is often little behind it due to a lack of space for maneuvering for those following behind and usually nothing at the front of the stop line – see video.
Make space by the red light
So what to do if blue light comes from behind (more on its history here) with an alternating sound horn? Carefully sneak over the stop line and dodge to the right or left in the left lane to the side. Stop there at the edge or on the sidewalk (attention, pedestrians!). If there are several lanes, for example, drive in front of the cars in the next lane. Then stop, so do not continue your own journey. Attention: If a track is free anyway, it is better to leave it free.
In such cases there is no fines – not even if there is lightning. What if the 250-franc fine does come? Objection! It happens that the emergency vehicle was simply not (yet) visible in the flash images. Since all deployment trips are traceable, the case should end without a fine.
But wasn’t a handlebar fined after all? Unfortunately that’s true. An unfortunate decision by the Zurich city judge’s office in 2015: A driver turned right, although the ambulance took the free left of the three lanes. The objection was thrown out, the person concerned did not take the decision any further. Only this one special case is known. By the way: All rules regarding emergency vehicles and the new mandatory emergency lane can be found here.
Turn right by bike
In various countries, turning right at the red light is permitted, provided there is no separate right-turn traffic light. Sometimes like in the USA (unless otherwise indicated), sometimes only with an additional sign (e.g. green arrow in Germany).
Since 2021, Switzerland has allowed bicycles (as well as equivalent vehicles such as electric scooters or mopeds) to turn right if there is an additional board (see pictures). Attention: Cross traffic or pedestrians who have green around the corner continue to have right of way – that is why the bike on the sign is yellow instead of green. Turning right is still prohibited where there is no sign!
Level crossings that flash afterwards
If the barrier at the level crossing is already up, but the flashing light is still on, contrary to popular belief, this is not a license! It is correct: Locally, this was often no longer fined – but elsewhere it was. It remained legally controversial. Therefore this exception is not an exception: if in doubt, wait! Today, however, this is no longer considered to be of practical relevance, as almost all level crossings have now been converted in such a way that the flashing red light goes out when the barrier is raised.