SlopeSwitzerland
15. Slope
A slope is a section of road that rises or descends noticeably. A steep slope can affect vehicle speed, braking distance, traction, visibility and the ability of heavy or low-powered vehicles to maintain a steady speed.
Warning signs may indicate a steep ascent or dangerous descent and may show the gradient as a percentage. Drivers should adjust their speed early, select a suitable gear and remain prepared for slow vehicles, bends and changing road conditions.
Wikimedia.org • Albinfo • CC BY-SA
What does a steep-slope warning mean in Switzerland?
Swiss signs distinguish a dangerous descent and a steep ascent. Mountain roads can also carry special instructions, including those associated with mountain postal services.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 8; OCR articles 9,38; LCR articles 35,45
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
Warning for a steep ascent.
English • Traffic sign 1.11 • Steep ascent.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.11 • Starke Steigung.
Français • Signal 1.11 • Forte montée.
Italiano • Segnale 1.11 • Salita ripida.
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 steep descent.
English • Traffic sign 1.10 • Steep descent.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.10 • Gefährliches Gefälle.
Français • Signal 1.10 • Descente dangereuse.
Italiano • Segnale 1.10 • Discesa pericolosa.
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.
How should I approach a steep descent in Switzerland?
Reduce speed before the descent and select a suitable gear to help control the vehicle. Keep enough following distance and avoid building up speed that requires continuous heavy braking. A warning gives no fixed safe descent speed: the gradient, surface, visibility, load and vehicle can require a speed well below the legal maximum.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 8; OCR articles 9,38; LCR articles 35,45
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in Switzerland?
On steep roads and mountain roads, the descending driver must stop first in good time when meeting is difficult. If equal-category vehicles cannot pass, the descending vehicle must reverse unless the uphill vehicle is clearly closer to a passing place. Different-category meeting rules give priority to combinations over other vehicles, heavy motor vehicles over light ones, and coaches over lorries. Do not overtake towards a crest without a clear view.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 8; OCR articles 9,38; LCR articles 35,45
🔗 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