Dead endSwitzerland
18. Dead end
A dead-end road is a road that does not provide a through route for some or all vehicles. It may end completely, terminate at a barrier or continue as a path that only certain road users may use.
Drivers may normally enter a dead-end road to reach homes, businesses, parking places or other destinations, but they must be prepared to turn around or leave by the same route. Signs may indicate that pedestrians or cyclists can continue beyond the point where motor traffic cannot.
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What does a dead-end indication mean in Switzerland?
The Swiss French-language term is impasse. The sign describes the no-through route and must be distinguished from a prohibition on entering.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 46(3); OCR articles 18-19; LCR articles 27,37
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
Dead end street.
English • Traffic sign 4.09 • No through road.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 4.09 • Sackgasse.
Français • Signal 4.09 • Impasse.
Italiano • Segnale 4.09 • Strada senza uscita.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-06-30. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 4.09, PDF page 114. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
Can pedestrians or cyclists continue beyond a motor-traffic dead end in Switzerland?
Swiss sign variants can identify passage for pedestrians, or pedestrians and cyclists. Follow the indicated users and the controls at the continuation; a car still has no through route.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 46(3); OCR articles 18-19; LCR articles 27,37
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
Does a dead-end indication change speed or priority rules in Switzerland?
The no-through information itself does not assign junction priority or a numerical speed limit. Continue to obey the actual speed, access, parking and priority controls. If you need to turn around, use a suitable lawful place, check for pedestrians and cyclists, and do not obstruct the space needed for other vehicles to turn.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 46(3); OCR articles 18-19; LCR articles 27,37
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Traffic rules
Switzerland