Priority over oncoming trafficSwitzerland

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

24. Priority over oncoming traffic

Priority over oncoming traffic means that drivers travelling in one direction have priority through a narrow section of road over drivers approaching from the opposite direction. The rule is normally indicated by a priority sign facing one direction and a corresponding give-way sign facing the other.

Drivers with priority must still approach cautiously and must not force their way through when the passage is blocked or already occupied. The signs regulate priority through the narrow section, not speed, parking or priority at nearby intersections.

Priority-over-oncoming-traffic sign on Route des Cordes. (Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA

How is priority over oncoming traffic controlled in Switzerland?

Sign 3.10 gives the direction of its white arrow priority over opposing vehicles at the narrowing. Sign 3.09 makes the direction of its red arrow give way. Inline-wheel vehicles may pass under 3.09 only if there is enough room to meet opposing vehicles safely. An opposing vehicle already in the passage must be allowed to clear it.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Road Signs Ordinance article 42; Traffic Rules Ordinance article 9

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Supporting official source

Road narrowing, oncoming drivers have to give way.

English • Traffic sign 3.10 • Priority over oncoming vehicles.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.10 • Vortritt vor dem Gegenverkehr.

Français • Signal 3.10 • Priorité par rapport aux véhicules venant en sens inverse.

Italiano • Segnale 3.10 • Precedenza rispetto al traffico inverso.

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 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.10, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.

English • Traffic sign 3.09 • Give way to oncoming vehicles.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 3.09 • Dem Gegenverkehr Vortritt lassen.

Français • Signal 3.09 • Laissez passer les véhicules en sens inverse.

Italiano • Segnale 3.09 • Lasciar passare i veicoli provenienti in senso inverso.

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 2017-07-02. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 3.09, PDF page 112. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

Can you enter an occupied narrow passage when you have priority in Switzerland?

Wait if an opposing vehicle is already in the narrow passage. This is an express condition of the Swiss priority-over-oncoming sign, not merely a courtesy. Check the available width and obey any applicable signal or authorised traffic direction.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Road Signs Ordinance article 42; Traffic Rules Ordinance article 9

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Supporting official source

Does priority through a narrow passage extend to nearby junctions in Switzerland?

No. A control releasing your direction or giving priority over opposing traffic concerns that passage. Junction priority, speed limits, crossings and any later restriction must be assessed separately from their own signs and rules.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Road Signs Ordinance article 42; Traffic Rules Ordinance article 9

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Supporting official source

Road narrowing

Give way to oncoming traffic

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 ...