Road safety The canton of St. Gallen reacts to the series of accidents in Toggenburg

The canton of St. Gallen wants to respond to the series of accidents in Toggenburg with awareness-raising and construction measures. Overtaking opportunities are being reduced. Reflective elements are to be installed on the center line of the bypass road in Toggenburg, as the canton explained at a media conference on Wednesday.

A series of accidents occurred on the road between Wil and Ricken this year. Ten people were killed in head-on collisions on the bypass road through Toggenburg and the adjoining main road over the Ricken, and numerous people were injured.

In the coming weeks, the Civil Engineering Office of the Canton of St. Gallen will now be installing reflective plastic elements known as beacons on the center line of the road between Bazenheid and Wattwil. A representative of the cantonal civil engineering office in Lichtensteig explained to the media that this will increase attention in two-way traffic. Later, this measure will also be implemented on the stretch to Ebnat-Kappel.

The elements can be driven over, for example in emergencies for emergency services. However, it is not possible to install beacons on tunnel sections for structural reasons. This is also not possible on Rickenstrasse. And there is no legal basis for a general reduction in permitted speeds.

At the same time as the structural measures, the St. Gallen cantonal police are launching an awareness campaign. A short video will be shown on screens at petrol stations in Toggenburg and on social media to draw attention to the dangers of distracted driving.

It was also decided to remove the only overtaking option between Flooz and the Wattwil tunnel on the Toggenburg bypass by means of a safety line.

Accidents analyzed

The series of accidents in Toggenburg startled the population and politicians. In the St. Gallen cantonal council, motions were tabled asking about the causes and possible measures to improve road safety in Toggenburg.

Cantonal Councillor Susanne Hartmann (center) convened a working group to analyze the causes of the collisions. "The accidents have shaken us," she said at the media briefing.

Overtaking maneuvers were not the focus of the series of accidents in Toggenburg, explained Hanspeter Krüsi, media spokesman for the St. Gallen cantonal police. In general, vehicles in head-on collisions often end up in the oncoming lane due to distraction, fatigue or alcohol. Cases of suicide can also occur. "The human risk factor remains even with structural measures."

SDA