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Countdown markersSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Switzerland

55. Countdown markers

Countdown markers are a sequence of roadside signs that indicate that a particular point, such as a motorway exit, junction or railway crossing, is getting closer. They commonly use a decreasing number of bars or other symbols so drivers can judge their progress toward the upcoming location.

The markers are normally positioned at successively shorter distances from the point ahead. Their design, spacing and meaning vary between countries, so drivers should not assume that each bar always represents the same distance.

Countdown markers
Countdown markers to a level crossing. (Genève, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What do countdown or exit-approach markers mean in Switzerland?

Swiss motorway junction guidance includes an advance announcement, a nearer direction sign, a sign at the start of the deceleration lane and an exit sign at the split. Use this sequence and the displayed exit information to prepare your lane choice.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR86(2),89a; OCR36

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

Does each countdown bar always represent the same distance in Switzerland?

Read the particular Swiss sign and distance rather than applying a foreign bar-count rule. The standard junction sequence places the advance announcement 1000 m before the deceleration lane and the next advance direction sign 500 m before it; these distances refer to the start of that lane.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR86(2),89a; OCR36

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

What should you do if you are too late to take a motorway exit in Switzerland?

Continue safely to the next lawful exit or junction. Do not stop, reverse, make a U-turn or cross the median to reach a missed exit. Plan lane changes early and follow any lane-control signals.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR86(2),89a; OCR36

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state1October2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state1July2026

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...