Courts given more discretion to punish traffic offenders

The reform of the traffic code foresees that drivers caught speeding no longer face a minimum prison sentence but instead can be forced to pay fines. Keystone/Martial Trezzini

Parliament has decided to drop minimum prison sentences for excessive speeding on Swiss roads.

Under current regulations in force since 2013, convicted offenders have faced at least a 12-month sentence.  

The Senate on Tuesday followed the House of Representatives in agreeing in principle a reform of the traffic code, including halving to 12 months the suspension of a driver’s licence for offenders.

Both chambers of parliament also came out against a government plan to make bike helmets mandatory for children over the age of 12 to reduce the number of head injuries.

Supporters of easing automatic sanctions against traffic offenders argued judges should be given more discretion to deal with offenders.

However, opponents notably on the political left said lowering the threshold could lead to more lenient verdicts.

The bill will now return to the House of Representatives for further debate on open questions, notably the parking of bikes in pedestrian zones.

As part of an overhaul of the country’s traffic code, the government also aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic, increase road safety and promote green technologies.