Heavy Traffic CH: Approximately 130,000 Vehicles Inspected in 2022

Last year, a total of 129,067 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were inspected. There were 23,790 violations. As in previous years, violations were primarily due to breaches of weight and dimension regulations, technical defects, and disregard for working and rest times. In 4,700 cases, the inspected vehicles were immobilized or drivers were denied further travel. About 2,900 of these were vehicles registered abroad. 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) Heavy traffic inspections increase road safety, ensure better compliance with regulations, and thus promote fair competition. The cantons have intensified mobile heavy traffic inspections on behalf of the federal government for about 20 years. In 2022, in addition to regular police work, a total of 94,988 hours of mobile heavy traffic inspections were conducted on the roads. Another 114,125 inspection hours were carried out in 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, 32,153 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were examined. This is an increase of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Violations were recorded for 1,887 Swiss (+2.9%) and 9,580 foreign vehicles and/or drivers (+4.4%). Of these, 319 Swiss (-1.2%) and 2,063 foreign vehicles had to be immobilized and/or drivers were denied further travel (-2.2%).

In addition to inspections at the heavy traffic inspection centers, the police also conduct mobile inspections. Last year, a total of 58,947 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses were inspected (+0.6% compared to 2021). Of these, 5,708 Swiss (-1.2%) and 3,739 foreign vehicles and/or drivers (-9.6%) were found to be in violation. 1,490 Swiss vehicles (+11%) and 828 foreign vehicles had to be immobilized and/or drivers were denied further travel (-5.5%).

As in previous years, violations and immobilizations were primarily due to issues with weights and dimensions (10,592 cases, -0.6% compared to 2021), technical defects (6,858 cases, -0.6%), and disregard for working and rest times (4,010 cases, +1.2% compared to 2021). Manipulations of the exhaust system (including Adblue manipulations) were detected 77 times (+87.8%). It should be noted that multiple mentions are possible in these figures.

Heavy Traffic Inspections by the BAZG

Last year, the BAZG conducted traffic police inspections on 37,967 trucks, articulated lorries, vans, and buses at border crossings. Of these, 252 Swiss and 2,624 foreign vehicles and/or drivers were recorded in the heavy traffic statistics. Most cases also involved issues with weights and dimensions (2,340 cases), technical defects (335 cases), and disregard for working and rest times (265 cases). Multiple mentions are also possible here.

New Inspection Center in Ticino Since December 2022

On December 2, 2022, the Heavy Traffic Inspection Center (SVKZ) Giornico TI began operations on the site of the former Monteforno steelworks. Heavy traffic heading towards Gotthard is now also being inspected on the southern side. This complements the existing SVKZ Ripshausen UR on the northern side, which has been in operation since 2009.

With the commissioning of the SVKZ Giornico, heavy traffic is now 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.

On August 31, 2022, the groundbreaking ceremony for the SVKZ in Oensingen took place. Construction is expected to be completed in the summer of 2024. The SVKZ will then go into operation.

Detailed statistics can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.astra.admin.ch/astra/de/home/themen/schwerverkehr/schwerverkehrskontrollen/statistik.html

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