More checks at the Simplon
An above-average number of trucks carrying dangerous goods use the Simplon Pass road over the Alps between Switzerland and Italy every year. Now the police is stepping up checks to ensure greater safety on the route.
The Simplon Pass road connects the southern Swiss canton of Valais with Italy. Thanks to the fact that it can also be used in winter the connection is a popular alternative for freight transport operations, with around 88,000 trucks using the pass road every year.
Hazardous goods on board
The route is particularly attractive to transport dangerous goods, as the Simplon Pass is the only trans-Alpine route on which dangerous goods can pass without restrictions. Every day an average of approximately 30 trucks us the Simplon road loaded with dangerous goods destined for industries in the Valais or Lake Geneva region. This mix of goods requires particularly high safety standards for the Simplon Pass route. Switzerland’s national roads office invests several million franks annually in the maintenance and expansion of safety measures.
One third of all trucks
The pass road is therefore also a hotspot for the Valais cantonal police. Last year it carried out heavy goods vehicle checks during 800 hours, with 24 major checks. One third of all of the trucks inspected were found to be defective.
Starting this summer, the checks are set to be significantly intensified, as the country’s roads office, police force and customs authorities having signed an agreement to this end.
The strategy envisages four policemen and one mechanic in action to check HGV traffic. To this end the Valais cantonal police force will set up two checkpoints, one each in the villages of Gamsen and Gondo. The measures will be financed by the national roads office. By increasing the number of staff as well as the monitoring infrastructure, the authorities hope to be able to make checks during 8,000 hours every year.