Road narrowingSwitzerland

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.


23. Road narrowing

A road narrowing is a section where the available width of the road or carriageway becomes smaller. The narrowing may occur on both sides, on one side only, or because one or more traffic lanes end.

Drivers should reduce speed, observe approaching and adjacent traffic, maintain sufficient lateral clearance and merge when necessary. Warning signs do not always determine priority, so drivers must follow any priority signs, lane markings and local traffic rules.

Road-narrowing warning sign in Meinier. (Geneva, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What does a road-narrowing warning mean in Switzerland?

Swiss narrowing warnings identify reduced road width. Read them with any separate opposing-flow priority sign and apply the Road Traffic Rules Ordinance’s meeting provisions.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Road Signs Ordinance article 7; Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 8(5),9

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Supporting official source

Warning for a road narrowing. Warning for a road narrowing.

English • Traffic sign 1.07 • Road narrows.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.07 • Engpass.

Français • Signal 1.07 • Chaussée rétrécie.

Italiano • Segnale 1.07 • Strada stretta.

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: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a road narrowing on the left. Warning for a road narrowing on the left.

English • Traffic sign 1.09 • Road narrows on the left.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.09 • Verengung links.

Français • Signal 1.09 • Chaussée rétrécie à gauche.

Italiano • Segnale 1.09 • Restringimento a sinistra.

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: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a road narrowing on the right. Warning for a road narrowing on the right.

English • Traffic sign 1.08 • Road narrows on the right.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.08 • Verengung rechts.

Français • Signal 1.08 • Chaussée rétrécie à droite.

Italiano • Segnale 1.08 • Restringimento a destra.

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: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Does a narrowing warning give you priority in Switzerland?

No. A warning describes the reduced width, rather than allocating priority or setting a numerical speed limit. Follow any separate priority signs, signals and meeting rules, and slow enough to pass safely or wait before entering.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Road Signs Ordinance article 7; Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 8(5),9

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Supporting official source

What should you do if traffic lanes merge at a narrowing in Switzerland?

On a road with several lanes in the same direction, if a lane ends or cannot be used continuously, drivers must admit vehicles alternately into the adjacent lane just before the narrowing. Signal the necessary lane change and merge with care; do not confuse this zipper rule with meeting oncoming traffic.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Road Signs Ordinance article 7; Traffic Rules Ordinance articles 8(5),9

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Supporting official source

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