Zone Signalling and General 50
Road safety: practical examples
In cooperation with the Verkehrsschule Zug, we present various traffic situations under the heading “From the field”. Using practical examples, we explain 1:1 the correct traffic rules.
Sven Meier, president of the Verkehrsschule Zug, provides information about traffic rules and situations. Do you have any questions or uncertainties? Do not hesitate to contact him and you will receive competent information.
Did you know that a traffic signal is always only valid until the next junction? If it is to continue to apply, it must be signalled again. This is not the case with zone signalling and ‘general 50’ signalling: the signals for a ‘tempo-30-zone’, ‘Begegnungszone’ or ‘general 50 zone’ are valid beyond junctions as well as traffic circles until the respective end signal appears.
Pedestrian zones and 30 km/h zones (SSV Art. 22a and 22b)
In a pedestrian zone, pedestrians, as well as users of vehicle-like devices, share the entire traffic area with vehicles. They have the right of way over the drivers of vehicles but must not obstruct them unnecessarily. The maximum speed is 20 km/h.
In a 30 km/h speed limit zone, which is permitted only on secondary roads, the speed limit is 30 km/h. The installation of pedestrian crossings is only permitted in extremely specific situations, such as for schools. Pedestrians are therefore allowed to cross the road everywhere (provided there is no pedestrian crossing within 50 meters [VRV Art.471]), but they do not have the right of way.
Reduced speed zones aim to eliminate a hazard, reduce pollution or noise, or improve traffic flow in residential or commercial areas. Generally, regular driving in the highest gear possible should be the goal. A prerequisite for this is the most sensible road design possible, with narrowings or other obstacles that effectively add value and are not chicanes.
General 50 (SSV Art. 22)
If the signalling of a 50 km/h maximum speed is to be valid beyond branching and thus become a kind of zone signal, the number 50 needs the word ‘general’ attached to it. ‘General 50’ is indicated at village entrances, where the dense development of the settlement begins, and ceases to apply with the signal ‘end of maximum speed’. Accordingly, the speed limit is also 50 on all secondary roads of the corresponding settlement.
The historical precedent arose in the ’80s when 60 km/h was still the maximum speed everywhere in villages. The city of Zurich was the first municipality to introduce a 50 km/h speed limit. Consequently, 50 km/h was signalled at the entrance roads to the city of Zurich and the sign was supplemented with ‘general’ in order not to have to repeat this signalling throughout the entire city area. When a 50 km/h limit was introduced in all villages about 10 years later, this signage was adopted throughout Switzerland.
Reasonable speed
Regardless of which signage is present in a given section of road, you must always be aware that this is a maximum speed limit. Consequently, for example, it must be possible to stop within the distance that can be seen, and difficult weather conditions such as rain, snow and ice must be considered. It is also important to find a balance between a steady flow of traffic and consideration for children.