UBC July 2024 - Traffic

Photo by Ricky Esquivel on Pexels

Welcome back to July's UBC. This month I'm going to be talking about cultural differences between Switzerland and the USA.

Today's topic is traffic, and boy, do we have a lot of different aspects to talk about. 

As Swiss people driving in the U.S. of course right off the bat we will notice that everything is bigger, better - but not necessarily faster when it comes to speed limits and traffic jams.

Bigger: What is classified as a "compact car" in the U.S., in our European eyes is a regular mid-sized vehicle, and we can't believe the amount of gigantic SUVs and trucks we spot driving around. 

We immediately appreciate the wide parking spaces!

A regular "street", "drive" or "avenue" in the U.S. will have two lanes in each direction, an interstate comes with at least four, but usually more lanes.

"My" freeway, Interstate 5, ranges from four lanes in some rural sections to 22 lanes in Orange County, California, where it had been widened and reconstructed. 22 times 12 feet (3.7 meters) is 264 feet (81.4 meters)

Photo by Danniel Reynaga: on Pexels

In comparison in neat little Switzerland the freeways between Berne - Zurich - St. Gallen, respectively Basel - Chiasso, which are the most important and busiest traffic axes in Switzerland, largely have only two, occasionally three lanes in each direction. 

In many US cities, traffic lights are often suspended overhead, whereas in Switzerland signals are more commonly mounted on posts at the sides of intersections

Protected left-turn phases are common in the US, where left-turning traffic gets a dedicated green arrow while opposing traffic is stopped. At many Swiss intersections, all directions can get a green light at the same time, with left-turning vehicles required to yield to other traffic, which is ridiculous and dangerous. I like to say "left turn is a bitch."

In most US states, drivers are allowed to turn right on red after stopping and ensuring the way is clear of oncoming traffic and pedestrians. This is never, ever the case in Switzerland. Red is red, and red means stop!

Did you know in Switzerland you have to been 18 years old to be allowed to drive? Quite a difference to some states in the US that go as low as 14, but in all the others it's 16. It is a time-consuming process that involves attending an emergency assistance course, passing a comprehensive theory test, driving lessons and the actual driving test. This takes place on the real road. You have to start off on a steep hill, steer backwards on local roads, parallel park and master other maneuvers. Most people don't pass this test on their first attempt. If you do pass, you will receive a probationary driving license for three years. If you break the rules during this time and are caught, the probationary period can be extended, or if it was really bad, your driving license will be revoked and after a waiting period you will have to start all over again. 

Something I appreciate in Switzerland is the extensive use of dedicated cycling infrastructure, including separate signals for cyclists. And of course the sidewalks. It makes it possible and safe for people to walk places.

Let's talk traffic violations! In Switzerland you will find clearly marked speed and red light cameras, mostly they are fix, and if you live in the area, you know exactly that they're there. However, there are also mobile ones that change locations. I observed that they're being used more frequently the closer we get to the end of the year, that's why I call them budget boosters - to finance the police's Christmas dinner ;-) In all reality the idea is probably to deter drivers from going overboard after their own Holiday party. 

In any case, after being caught by the camera, you will get a traffic fine in the mail. Very rarely you will be pulled over by police after committing a traffic violation. Typically you won't see police often as you're driving. I wonder if our system just doesn't provide for an excessive police presence in general. 

I perceive this different in the US. There's "highway patrols" observing and interfering frequently. Some are strict, and others are understanding. My ex boyfriend and I got stopped once for speeding. He was surprised. "I didn't even go faster than the speed limit" he claimed. Trouble was, he was referring to km/h instead of mph ;-) So if you think you're driving 70 km/h but are actually driving 70 mph, which means you're going 112 km/h. "Crazy Europeans with their metric system" the cop said. "Be safe now" and he let us go. Phew!!!

The difference in system is in fact confusing. Signs or navigation systems telling you you're so and so many yards away from a stop sign, a turn or your final destination, make us go "how far away is that?"

Before we wrap this up, one major difference I keep noticing, is car maintenance. When you're on road trips in the US you will often notice remains of burst tires on the hard shoulder. You will see beat up vehicles that looks as if they're about to fall apart. They would never be allowed to drive in Switzerland. Here, you're stopped if just one taillight isn't working, and you will be asked to rectify this immediately. You may even be ordered to present your car before it is allowed back on the road. This may not apply to a malfunctioning light or blinker, but to more serious defects affecting the engine, brakes or chassis. A car that rusts too badly can and will be taken off the road. 

While car ownership is deeply embedded in American culture, symbolizing freedom and independence, - which I can totally relate to - which is also reflected in lower gas prices and a higher tolerance in letting cars drive in not so great shape, Switzerland relies more on an extensive public transport network and environmentally friendly aspects. I will talk about public transportation in a different post. 

Photo by Pixabay

PS: Yes, I know, gas prices went up in the US, too. They're still lower considerably than in Switzerland. 

In Switzerland one liter of lead-free gas is currently on average CHF 1.89

One gallon in the US is around USD 3.55

A gallon equals 3.79 liters, or one liter is 0.26 gallons

One USD is CHF 0.89, or the other way round, one CHF is USD 1.12

If you were to purchase, say 13 gallons of gas in Switzerland and pay in USD, your total would be 105. The same amount of gas in the US comes to USD 46.

Speaking of money. The good news is that using the freeways in Switzerland is surprisingly cheap. You need an "Autobahnvignette", a sticker on your car that allows you to drive for an entire year. It costs CHF 40 = USD 44.80. 2024 is the first year in which people will no longer have to affix a sticker but will be able to register their car online. This allows you to use all highways, bridges, tunnels and roads without incurring any additional costs. Only ferries and car transport trains are subject to a charge. 

I think I see the need to write an article about the price levels in the two countries ;-)

What is the traffic situation like in your area? How expensive is gas? Have you ever been pulled over? Driven in another country?