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At Easter, many people travel by car to the mountains. But there is often confusion on the streets there. A crash course.
A car climbs up a steep, narrow pass road. Suddenly a truck appears at the other end of the street. He rolls downhill towards the car. What does the driver have to do now?
Bus in front of truck in front of car
There are three simple principles for steep roads with too little room to cross oncoming traffic:
- Difficult has priority before easy: Bus before camion before car.
- A truck with trailer has priority above all others.
- Among similar vehicles that has uphillmoving vehicle before to the downhillmoving vehicle right of way. If it is not possible to cross, the descending vehicle must back up unless the ascending vehicle is close to one alternate point.
A special case are mountain post roads. The post bus and other regular buses have priority here.
Legend:
Bergpoststrasse: The post bus and other regular buses have priority here.
AdobeStock/mamophoto
In addition, the drivers are even authorized to give instructions. You can therefore point out to car travelers what they have to do on the road.
In confusing sections, drivers must be able to stop at half sight. In principle, all vehicles are allowed to honk their horns before “narrow, blind corners outside of town” to warn others.
Legend:
Precarious situation: If it weren’t for the cyclists, the truck and the car would have passed each other. (Picture from the Grimsel Pass)
Imago/Manuel Geisser
In practice, all of this means for the Swiss Auto Trade Association (AGVS): Common sense is required instead of insisting on rules and – a possible thank you with a friendly hand gesture.