Fewer Heavy Traffic Controls in Switzerland Due to Corona

In 2020, 138,848 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were inspected. This resulted in 22,519 violations, and in 4,207 cases, the vehicles were immobilized or the drivers were denied further travel. This is stated in the report on heavy traffic controls published jointly for the first time by the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) and the Federal Customs Administration (EZV). Due to the Corona pandemic, fewer heavy traffic vehicles could be inspected than in the previous year.

(Bern) Inspections of heavy traffic increase road safety, ensure better compliance with regulations, and contribute to fair competition between rail and road. Accordingly, the cantons have intensified mobile heavy traffic controls on behalf of the federal government for about 20 years. In 2020, a total of 91,572 hours of heavy traffic controls were carried out in addition to normal police work. Another 96,169 control hours were conducted at the heavy traffic centers. In addition to the police, the EZV also checks vehicles and drivers entering or leaving Switzerland as part of customs controls.

Impact of Corona

With the first lockdown due to Corona, truck traffic significantly decreased in spring 2020. For example, at the end of March, 70 to 80% fewer trucks were measured in the Gotthard tunnel. As traffic dropped sharply and the police needed their personnel for other tasks related to pandemic management, heavy traffic controls were scaled back during the first lockdown. However, where there was a suspicion of a deficiency, vehicles continued to be inspected. With the easing of restrictive measures in May 2020, inspections were resumed under stricter protective measures for the staff.

Heavy Traffic Controls by the Police

In total, 28,020 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were inspected in the seven heavy traffic control centers in 2020. This is 10.2% less than in 2019. 1,623 Swiss (+0.8%) and 7,573 foreign vehicles and/or drivers (-15.3%) were found to be in violation. Of these, 339 Swiss (+4%) and 2,033 foreign vehicles had to be immobilized and/or the drivers were denied further travel (-30.5%).In addition to the inspections at the heavy traffic control centers, the police also conduct mobile inspections. In these, a total of 57,041 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were inspected in 2020 (-6.9% compared to 2019). Of these, 6,049 Swiss (-2.4%) and 3,475 foreign vehicles and/or drivers (-11%) were found to be in violation; 1,202 Swiss (-10.6%) and 633 foreign vehicles and/or drivers (-19.9%) had to be immobilized or denied further travel.The main reasons for violations and immobilizations remain, as in previous years, the disregard for dimensions and weights (9,263 cases, -3% compared to 2019), technical deficiencies (5,924 cases, -10.1% compared to 2019), and non-compliance with working and rest times (3,315 cases, -23.2% compared to 2019). Manipulations of the exhaust system (including Adblue manipulations) were detected 34 times (-20.9% compared to 2019). It should be noted that multiple mentions are possible in these figures.

Heavy Traffic Controls by the EZV

The EZV inspected a total of 53,787 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses in 2020. Of these, 299 Swiss and 3,500 foreign vehicles and/or drivers were found to be in violation according to heavy traffic statistics. The main reasons for this were the disregard for dimensions and weights (3,306 cases), technical deficiencies (400 cases), and non-compliance with working and rest times (300 cases). Multiple mentions are also possible here.

Statistics on Heavy Traffic Controls 2020

New Control Center in Ticino from 2022

In October 2020, the foundation stone was laid for the Heavy Traffic Control Center (SVKZ) Giornico. This will be built on the site of the former Monteforno steelworks. After the commissioning of this SVKZ, heavy traffic heading towards Gotthard can also be inspected in a center corresponding to the SVKZ Ripshausen on the north side from 2022. The investments for the SVKZ Giornico amount to around 250 million francs, which will also realize a new highway connection.
Photo: © ASTRA/EZVI am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.