Road traffic Federal Council wants to enforce parking fines for foreign guests
When foreign guests park incorrectly or drive too fast in a rented vehicle in Switzerland, many fines remain unpaid. The Federal Council now wants to examine how tourist communities can receive the fines due to them more reliably in future.
13.02.2025, 12:14
SDA
"Violations of the Road Traffic Act have no cost consequences for many tourists," writes Ursula Zybach, SP National Councillor for Bern. In a motion, she calls on the Federal Council to identify possible options for action such as legal adjustments, international agreements and further enforcement measures. The Federal Council agrees with the request, as it writes without further comment in its response to the postulate published on Thursday.
According to Zybach, tourist regions in particular are experiencing increasing problems in punishing violations of the Road Traffic Act and collecting the corresponding fines. It is true that the police responsible usually receive the personal details and foreign delivery address of the person to be fined from the car rental companies. However, the invoice is often not paid despite correct delivery. The collection of fines in non-Schengen countries in particular is "extremely difficult".
"It can be assumed that these are high amounts for the tourist communities that cannot be collected in this way," writes Zybach. In Interlaken BE, for example, annual revenue losses of CHF 400,000 are recorded - and the trend is rising. There is therefore an urgent need for action.
