Driving in Russia vs. Switzerland: A Safety Guide
When comparing the road rules of Russia and Switzerland, significant disparities emerge that impact motorists' experiences. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol regulations and penalties, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe journey in either country. Discover the vital aspects that distinguish driving in these two nations.
Lanes
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; 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: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Alcohol
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | 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
russia:
0.035%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
russia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Russia | 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
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
russia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot