Driving in Estonia vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Estonia and Switzerland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key disparities, such as speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signals, can significantly impact safety. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring secure journeys abroad. Let's delve into the driving nuances of these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
switzerland:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
estonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
estonia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay