Switzerland Inspects 140,000 Heavy Vehicles in 2021

In the last year 2021, a total of 139,732 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were inspected in Switzerland. This resulted in 24,410 violations, and in 4,650 cases, the vehicles were immobilized or the drivers were denied further travel. This is stated in the report on heavy traffic inspections, which was jointly published today by the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG).

(Bern) The inspections increase road safety, ensure better compliance with regulations, and thus contribute to fair competition between rail and road. Accordingly, the cantons have intensified mobile heavy traffic inspections on behalf of the federal government for about 20 years. In 2021, in addition to regular police work, a total of 94,512 hours of mobile heavy traffic inspections were conducted on the roads. An additional 96,162 inspection hours were carried out in the heavy traffic centers. In addition to the police, the BAZG also checks vehicles and drivers entering or leaving Switzerland as part of customs inspections.

Heavy Traffic Inspections by the Police

In the seven federal heavy traffic inspection centers, 31,564 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were checked. This is 12.6% more than in the previous year, when significantly fewer trucks were on the road due to the Corona pandemic. Violations were recorded for 1,834 Swiss (+13.0%) and 9,172 foreign vehicles and/or drivers (+21.1%). Of these, 323 Swiss (-4.7%) and 2,109 foreign vehicles had to be immobilized and/or the drivers were denied further travel (+3.7%).

In addition to inspections at the heavy traffic inspection centers, the police also conduct mobile inspections. Last year, a total of 58,577 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were inspected (+2.7% compared to 2020). Of these, 5,777 Swiss (-4.5%) and 4,137 foreign vehicles and/or drivers (+19.1%) were found to be in violation. 1,342 Swiss (+11.6%) and 876 foreign vehicles had to be immobilized and/or the drivers (+38.4%) were denied further travel.

As in previous years, violations and immobilizations were primarily due to issues with weights and dimensions (10,654 cases, +15.0% compared to 2020), technical defects (6,899 cases, +16.5% compared to 2020), and violations of working and rest times (3,964 cases, +19.6% compared to 2020). Manipulations of the exhaust system (including Adblue manipulations) were detected 41 times (+20.6% compared to 2020). It should be noted that multiple counts are possible in these figures.

Heavy Traffic Inspections by the BAZG

Last year, the BAZG conducted traffic police inspections on 49,591 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses at border crossings. Of these, 279 Swiss and 3,211 foreign vehicles and/or drivers were found to be in violation according to heavy traffic statistics. Most cases also involved issues with weights and dimensions (3,022 cases), technical defects (354 cases), and violations of working and rest times (310 cases). Multiple counts are also possible here.

New Inspection Center in Ticino Starting Autumn 2022

In autumn 2022, the heavy traffic inspection center (SVKZ) Giornico will go into operation on the site of the former Monteforno steelworks. This will allow for the inspection of heavy traffic heading towards Gotthard on the southern side. It complements the existing SVKZ Ripshausen on the northern side, which has been in operation since 2009.

The investments for the SVKZ Giornico amount to around 250 million Swiss francs, during which a new highway connection will also be realized. After the commissioning of the SVKZ Giornico, heavy traffic will be inspected on both sides of the three Alpine crossings Simplon, Gotthard, and San Bernardino, as well as on the northern side of the Great St. Bernard. Additionally, the SVKZ in Oensingen is under construction and is expected to be operational in 2023.

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