Driving past on the right on highways: FDP National Council wants to slow down Schleicher

When does passing become overtaking?

In fact, the article of law provides a lot of room for maneuver: overtaking on the right is now permitted – but only in traffic jams, traffic jams or an accident in the left or middle lane. Then you can drive past on the right “with due caution”. Overtaking on the right, i.e. returning to the left lane, remains prohibited and results in a fine.

But: when does overtaking on the right become a prohibited overtaking action on the right? Or: “What exactly is a column?” Walti asks.

No one can say exactly. The Zurich liberal uses an example to illustrate the “absurdity”. “If a single ‘Schleicher’ drives in the left lane, you are actually not allowed to overtake on the right. But if the sneaker has two or three cars behind him and you are number 4, you can pass the ‘column’ on the right at a constant speed. Does it make sense?”

If you overtake, you risk fines and your ID will be confiscated

Overtaking on the right is allowed, but overtaking on the right is expensive. The minimum risk is a fine of 250 francs. Anyone who endangers others should expect to be reported and have their ticket revoked. According to Walti, the implementation is not the same in all cantons; in one canton the police would punish those who break the law more quickly than in another.

Where Walti is right: many motorists, the Federal Roads Office says (70 percent), systematically drive in the left or middle lane – and not always at the speed limit. Rear-end collisions are particularly common there.

The National Council of the FDP has therefore turned to the Federal Council with a request to review the books. However, the Federal Council sees no need for action. “As far as the Federal Council is aware, the scheme has so far proven successful and has not affected road safety or legal certainty,” he replied to Walti.

Counseling center knows no joy

This is confirmed by the Federal Road Agency (Astra). The evaluation of the accident figures shows that the number of accidents has not increased since its introduction. On the contrary: “Roads are used better when the traffic flow is as constant as possible. “In addition, few accidents occur,” the office says.

FDP State Councilor Walti still does not want to give up and refers to various court rulings. “I think clearer regulations are possible and would make sense.” He will now seek talks with the government. The Accident Prevention Advisory Center (BFU) will probably not be happy about it. According to them, the new regulation leads to critical situations: allowing people to overtake on the right makes changing lanes from left to right more difficult.