Speeding in Switzerland: Scale of Penalties

The Speeding Penalty Scale

The Swiss system distinguishes three levels of severity based on the speed exceeded, after deduction of the safety margin.

Fixed Fines (Minor Exceedances)

Minor exceedances are punished by fixed fines under Annex 1 of the Fixed Penalty Ordinance (FPO):

1. In built-up areas (50 km/h): up to +15 km/h -- fine of CHF 40 to 250
2. Outside built-up areas (80 km/h): up to +20 km/h -- fine of CHF 60 to 260
3. On motorways (120 km/h): up to +25 km/h -- fine of CHF 20 to 260

Moderately Serious Offences (Art. 16b RTA)

A greater exceedance constitutes a moderately serious offence:

1. In built-up areas: +16 to +24 km/h
2. Outside built-up areas: +21 to +29 km/h
3. On motorways: +26 to +34 km/h

Penalties: licence withdrawal of at least one month and monetary penalty.

Serious Offences (Art. 16c RTA)

Major exceedances constitute serious offences:

1. In built-up areas: from +25 km/h
2. Outside built-up areas: from +30 km/h
3. On motorways: from +35 km/h

Penalties: licence withdrawal of at least three months and monetary or custodial sentence.

The Hooligan Driver Offence (Art. 90 Para. 3 and 4 RTA -- Via Sicura)

Since Via Sicura came into force, extreme speeding is classified as a hooligan driver offence:

1. In built-up areas: from +50 km/h
2. Outside built-up areas: from +60 km/h
3. On motorways: from +80 km/h

Penalties: custodial sentence of one to four years, licence withdrawal of at least two years, possible vehicle confiscation. The Federal Supreme Court has, however, nuanced the automatic application of these thresholds (BGE 142 IV 137).

Safety Margin

A safety margin is deducted from the measured speed, depending on the measuring device used:

1. Fixed radar: 5 km/h (up to 100 km/h), 6% (above 100 km/h)
2. Mobile radar: similar margins
3. Section control: specific margin depending on the stretch

Repeat Offences

Repeat offences aggravate penalties:

1. Second serious offence within 5 years: withdrawal of at least 6 months
2. Third serious offence within 10 years: indefinite withdrawal (minimum 2 years)