The general speed limit in Switzerland is 80 km/h (50 mph) outside and 50 km/h (31 mph) inside build-up areas. These limits were introduced in 1984 to protect the environment. On the motorways of Switzerland the limit is 120 km/h (75 mph). The limit on the similar autostrassen is 100 km/h (62 mph). There are lower limits for trucks and vehicles with trailers.[1]
Here is a timeline of speed limits:[2][3] All limits are in km/h.
Year of introduction | City | Highways (rural) | Expressways (Autostrassen) | Motorways (Autobahnen) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1904 | 10 km/h | 30 km/h | - | |
1914 | 18 km/h | 40 km/h | ||
1932 | limits abolished | |||
June 1, 1959 | 60 km/h[4] | none (Richtgeschwindigkeit since summer 1966[5]) | ||
January 1, 1973 | 100 km/h[6] (may be raised to 120 km/h by Cantons) |
none (advisory speed limit) | ||
November 17, 1973 | 100 km/h[7] | |||
March 14, 1974 | 130 km/h[8] | |||
January 1, 1977 | 100 km/h | |||
January 1, 1984 | 50 km/h | 80 km/h | 80 km/h[A 1] de facto 100 km/h[9] |
120 km/h |
December 20, 1989 | de jure 100 km/h[9] |