Driving in Switzerland
Most important is that you need a set of winter and a set of summer tyres. If you are involved in an accident, and not use the correct type of tyres, the insurance company may not cover the accident … and repairs in Switzerland are expensive!
- Respect all speed limits since its full of speed cameras!! Especially if you have Swiss plates the fine comes directly at your place even if you exceeded the limit by only a couple Km/h.
- Always stop at pedestrian crossings when a pedestrian is trying to cross.
- At roundabouts, the ones inside the roundabout have priority, so you have to stop before entering a roundabout.
- It is advised that you don’t cross when the traffic light is orange…it can in the meanwhile turn red, and the fine is substantial.
Parking
Parking can be a nuisance, generally in Switzerland. Every parking spot is outlined, so whatever free space in the road that is not outlined is considered illegal.
There are three kinds of parking spots based on the color:
- Yellow: are private so don’t park at all. The fine can be substantial as well.
- White:
- During day hours (8am – 18pm): in the white spots you have to get a ticket in a nearby machine (2 Chf) and lasts (usually) for one hour in the city centre (there are signs that denote the max. time).
- During the night hours (18pm – 8am): you can park freely!
- Blue:
- During day hours (8am – 18pm) in the blue spots you can park for free for one hour, if you have a blue disk. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_parking )
- During the night hours (18pm – 8am): you can park freely!
The parking at EPFL is either monthly (CHF 15) or annual (CHF 150). You can check the rates here (http://parking.epfl.ch/tarifs/)