Driving Safety: South Korea vs. Switzerland Insights
Exploring the nuances of road safety between South Korea and Switzerland reveals intriguing contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits, each country exhibits unique rules that impact driving experiences. Understanding these distinctions not only enhances your journey but also ensures safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| South korea | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | 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 | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during specified hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
switzerland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| South korea | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
south korea:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south korea:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| South korea | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| South korea | 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 signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| South korea | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| South korea | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
Limits: Professional Drivers
south korea:
0.03%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Roundabouts
| South korea | 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
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
south korea:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| South korea | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay