Two-wheelers can expect police checks
Police in Switzerland step up preventive actions when the weather turns warm and bikers take to the road and particularly to winding mountain roads (photo, Valais Alps)
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Police in canton Vaud are repeating what they say was a successful preventive project a year ago, to alert motorcyclists to dangers over the Easter weekend.
Police teams will be visibly out in a number of areas to encourage motorcyclists to give their bikes safety checks and to openly discourage them from using stretches of road that are popular with bikers for racing.
Eight motorcyclists lost their lives on Vaud roads in 2011 and six were caused by the motorcycle drivers, statistics released in late March show.
The dates and places where police say they will be very much in evidene:
Friday 6 April, Nyon route Blanche and La Givrine route de St-Cergue
Saturday 7 April, Ste-Croix route de Mauborget and Col du Mollendruz
Sunday 8 April, Château d’Oex route de l’Etivaz and Col des Mosses
Monday 9 April, Crissier rue du Timonet and RC Lausanne-Vevey Sous-Dézaley.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – A 56-year-old Swiss man who lived in Ain, France, died late Wednesday 5 October when his motorcycle and a car collided head on, on the Route de Mandemant in Russin, on the outskirts of Geneva.
The man was weaving his way downhill when he attempted to pass one or several cars, say Geneva police, and he was surprised by an oncoming car driven by a 45-year-old woman, who was uninjured but treated for shock. The man died at the scene of the crash.
The man’s death is the ninth on Geneva roads this year and the fourth serious accident involving motorcycles in eastern Switzerland in the past five days, with two other deaths and one person in critical condidtion.
Police are looking for witnesses, who are asked to call +41 22 427 64 50.
Motorcyclists and bicyclists account for 45% of victims who die or suffer serious injuries in road accidents
BERN, SWITZERLAND – The number of people who died or were injured in road accidents in Switzerland fell below 20,000 in 2010, for the first time since the 1950s, numbers released 19 July show.
Federal Statistical Office annual figures show that 327 people died in road accidents, 4,458 were seriously injured and 19,779 suffered lighter injuries.
The figures show a steady drop since 1992: 61 percent fewer road deaths and 47 percent fewer serious injuries.
Of the 4,785 victims of serious accidents (death, serious injuries) 1,410 were in cars and 1,283 on motorcycles, 864 were on bicycles and 781 were pedestrians.
Motorcyclists are victims of a far higher number of serious accidents in summer, with the figures for deaths and serious injuries almost the same as those for people in cars even though there are far fewer cars on the roads.
The number of bicyclists injured fell in 2010, but the number of pedestrians injured rose. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in winter.
“Inattention” is the leading factor behind accidents, with mobile phone use increasingly cited. Inappropriate speed and not giving priority are two other main factors, according to the statistical data.
Ed. note: TSR, in a related article, notes that Geneva and Zurich have the highest car insurance rates in Switzerland
Swiss mountain passes are popular with bikers in summer
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – The police in Vaud handed their Valais police colleagues a nice story Wednesday morning, of a local man in his 40s stopped for going 130kph on his motorcyle in a 50 zone. The man was going through the village of Crassier, near the Vaud/French border and the French town of Divonne.
The news comes just as police in Valais announced, Wednesday morning, the details of a safety and accident prevention day for motorcyclists Saturday 25 June in Bourg-St-Pierre, in Valais.
Motorcyclists are 20 times more at risk of serious injury or death than occupants of a car, statistics show.
One-third of biker accidents due to inappropriate speed
One-third of motorcycle accidents are linked to the rider losing control of his or her bike due to excessive or inappropriate speeds. Valais police note that two motorcyclists have lost their lives in just the one canton to date this year.
Number of deaths down, but serious injuries up: 1,435 in 2009 in Switzerland
The prevention day is part of a safety campaign that is tied to the heavy use of Swiss mountain passes by motorcyclists in summer, but also a drive by the Swiss to reduce the number of road deaths and serious injuries.
Half of all drivers fail first attempt at on-the-road test
Some cantons offer theory tests in English, but success rate low
Revised Swiss motorcycle license tests put new emphasis on handling the bike on the road, maneuvers to increase safety
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Lausanne and Neuchatel are once again the toughest places in Switzerland in which to get a driver’s license, 2010 Swiss statistics on the success rates for theory and driving tests show. The figures are published this week by ASA, the Swiss Automobile Association.
English theory test pass rate 17 points below national average
The new figures also show that while the pass rate for theory tests nationwide is 67.4 percent on average, the rate for tests administered in English is 49 percent. The tests are offered in English by only a handful of cantons and are only 0.9 percent of all tests. They are offered in German, French and Italian throughout Switzerland.
This is the first year that the published statistics have also included motorcycle permit pass rates, as part of efforts to reduce the number of serious accidents involving motorcycles. The pass rates vary considerably for the driving test, from 83.6 percent in Bern to 52.6 percent in Zurich. Motorcyclists in Geneva had a pass rate of 68.4 percent while in Vaud it was 54.1 percent.
Motorcycle driving tests were recently improved, according to ASA, in order to put more emphasis on specific maneuvers while driving, to improve safety.
Vaud had Switzerland’s lowest pass rate for car licenses
The pass rate on the category B (cars) driving test also varied widely:
Basel – 66.6%
Bern – 69.5%
Geneva – 65.6%
Neuchatel – 55%
Vaud – 53.1%
Zurich – 60.4%
Increase due almost entirely to pedestrians outside crosswalks
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The number of deaths on roads in Switzerland fell by 4 percent in 2010 but the number of pedestrian deaths was up by 27 percent, new figures from the Swiss Safety Council (bfu/bpa) show. There was little change in the number of people killed while using a crosswalk, but pedestrians killed elsewhere rose from 39 to 56.
Overall number of accidents continues to fall
Alcohol and speed factors remain high
Photo, Mr Kio on flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/igievil/
A total of 361 people died on Swiss roads in 2010. Speed is estimated to have played a role in about one-third of fatal accidents and alcohol in about one-fifth.
Another 4,508 people were seriously injured in road accidents in Switzerland in 2010. Speed may have been a factor in about one-quarter of these and alcohol in about one in seven accidents.
The number of accidents in 2010 was more than 500 lower than in 2005, with the number falling every year. The safety council attributes the decline to preventive efforts and more policing, but it says there are still far too many deaths and injuries.
Speed, crossing outside crosswalks a deadly combination
Most pedestrians are killed during busy traffic periods such as rush hour, the new annual safety council report indicates.
“Most pedestrian accidents occur while people are crossing the road, in towns, and during rush hour. A systematic reduction in speed would help reduce the number of accidents and reduce the seriousness of injuries caused by them.” Bfu/bpa notes that the percentage of deaths when cars are going 30kph is 10 percent, but this climbs to 70 percent when cars are going 50kph.
Diesel and hybrid vehicles growing in favour
Neuchatel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Swiss drivers registered 5.4 million motor vehicles in 2010, up 42 percent compared to the number on roads in 1990.
Surprisingly, given the additions to the pool of cars, the average age of a Swiss car is 8.2 years and slowly rising.
The number of cars increased to 4.1 million last year from 4 million in 2009, the year the country crossed the line to having more than one car for every two people, despite the country’s reputation for having the densest public transport system in the world.
It was also the year that saw the smallest increase, 0.5 percent, due to the global economic slowdown.
Motorcycles and cars with diesel and hybrid engines have become more popular, the figures published by the Federal Statistical Office Monday 14 February show. Diesel cars made up 18 percent of all cars registered iun Switzerland30 September 2010, the day the auto census was taken.
The most dramatic change has been the number of scooters driven in Switzerland, which increased 20-fold in 20 years. They now account for 37 percent of all motorcycles registered.
Motorcycles overall more than doubled their numbers, 118 percent, during the period.
Title: Car and motorcycle show and sale
Location: Rolle
Description: Ancient and classic cars and motorcycles for display and for sale.
For information: +41 22 734 2576.
Start Date: 2010-06-05
Start Time: 09:00
End Date: 2010-06-06
End Time: 17:00
Traffic and weather forecasts, history of skiing show, horses on ice, motorcycle fair and other good train deals, horses on snow, giant greeting card
Plenty of snow in the Jura! February 2010 (photo: Shirley Curran)
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – This weekend it is Geneva residents who head for the ski slopes en masse, with school holidays the week of 22 February. Expect crowds in all Swiss and nearby French resorts.
History of skiing and extraordinary collection of old skis – don’t miss it!
Conthey history of ski exhibit, Coop centre
Ski collection of Laurent Donze, more than 2,000 skis showing centuries of history
The newly redone large Coop in Conthey, two minutes off the autoroute in the heart of a large shopping complex, is home to an extraordinary collection of skis until 28 February. This is a must-see exhibit which recounts the history of skiing from ancient times, put together by Laurent Donzé, who has been president of the Swiss Cross Country Ski Federation. He told GenevaLunch he began collecting skis more than 30 years ago and he now has over 2,000 skis in his collection.
If you think downhill skiing began with the arrival in Switzerland of the British, you might find history shows it is a bit more complicated than that. The exhibit is well documented and illustrated, but the skis themselves offer a reminder of how the need for skis and their designs have changed.
Weather forecast
Rain mixed with snow Friday afternoon on the plain. Snow down to 700 metres in Alpine and Jura areas. Saturday: gradually clearing on the plain, with highs of 4-5C,. Snow Saturday in the Alps, with highs of 9C in the Alps due to warming foehn winds. Winds moderate on western edge of the Alps.
Traffic forecast
Geneva begins its vacation, but so do 10 other cantons Friday 19 February, so TCS warns that traffic will build during the afternoon. The area around Lausanne and heading towards Valais, around the Glion tunnel, are expected to be the worst-hit areas. List of expected heavy traffic areas and time, TCS. For current traffic advisories: TCS in French and the federal truck site in English. Reminder for drivers leaving Geneva: expect delays around Nyon and Gland due to roadworks that continue until 25 February.
Alpine resorts
Outer and inner faces of the 2010 Swiss autoroute sticker
Neuchatel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Drivers have until the end of January 2010 to put them on their cars, but the 2010 Swiss autoroute sticker, called a vignette in French, goes on sale today. The background is metallic orange and the date reddish-brown. The CHF40 annual road tax has been sold at the same price since it became law in 1985, managed by the Swiss customs office.
The proof of tax paid sticker must be displayed by cars but also trucks and motorbikes on the autoroute.
Title: Car and motorcycle rally and show dedicated to the US
Location: La Sarraz, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: A day where the Swiss Hells Angels and other car and bike fans gathered to check out each other’s engines.
Start Date: 05 Sep 2009
End Date: 06 Sep 2009
Liam Bates will present a clip of his film "Motorbikes, Mao and a Yak" at Webster University
Title: China’s Next Generation: a 7,000km adventure on motorbikes
Location: Webster University, Bellevue, Geneva
Description: In June 2009 four young men from Switzerland, Brazil, Tibet and Eastern China completed a 7,000 km journey across China on motorcycles – through the Himalayas, Mongolian grasslands and into the densely populated Eastern coast, talking to young people about their changing lives, hopes and dreams.
The presentation: Liam Bates will present a short film clip from the countless hours of high definition footage shot throughout the trip and discuss some of the views expressed by youth across China.
Bates will show the changing face of China by retelling adventures from their trip, screening interviews and photos. From the stories of farmers, gangsters, nomads, musicians and business students across the country, he offers an entertaining and informative look at China’s next generation.
The event will help raise funds to cover production costs of their film, “Motorbikes, Mao and a Yak”, expected to be released in late 2010. The documentary will eventually be available in English, French, Spanish and Chinese.
Q&A session after the presentation in English, French and Chinese.
Sponsored by GenevaLunch
Interview with Liam Bates in GenevaLunch
Please RSVP by 30 August.
Venue: Webster University, Bellevue/GE
Entry fee CHF5 (soft drinks, tea and snacks will follow).
Tel: +41 21 806 3800
Start Time: 19:30
Date: 01 Sep 2009
Clos-du-Doubs, Jura, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Two motorcyclists were surprised by a bend in the road in separate accidents within an hour of each other, between Essertfallon and Soubey. The first fell but was uninjured but the second was hospitalized after colliding with an oncoming vehicle, reports 20 Minutes (Fre).
Col de Bernina, Graubuenden, Switzerland (20 Minutes/ATS) – A chain reaction crash involving seven motorcycles has put seven people in hospital, some in critical condition.
The accident was provoked by one bike going up the pass road, which was in the wrong lane, colliding head-on with another one coming down. Other bikes were unable to stop on time. One of the bikes caught a piece of clothing in the wheel, causing the biker to fall.
Title: Retro-moto international
Location: St. Cerge, Vaud
Link out: Click here
Description: The fifth edition of this original display of motorcycles and sidecars will take place in St. Cerge. More than 200 participants are expected in 2009. “A must” for all motorcycle fans.
Date: 20 Jun 2009
Nyon, Switzerland (Tribune de Genève, Fre) – A pilot road project designed to save motorcyclists’ lives on the treacherous route between Nyon and St Cergue was opened 19 May, reports the Tribune. The motorcyclist is physically reminded to slow down thanks to a coating on the surface of the road in strategic spots, with special strips that alert riders. The strips are similar to those on the approaches to French toll booths on the autoroute; they make a tickling noise.
Fribourg, to the left and up the hill: watch that pedal!
Fribourg, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Police in Fribourg stopped 106 cars in Fribourg Friday in the first of what they promise will be a series of major checks throughout the year. Spring brings speeders out, they note, and rader controls will be more frequent. Last week the French driver of a Ferrari caught at the highest speed recorded in the canton, 250 kph, was fined CHF70,000. He had a previous record for speeding in the canton, but only French authorities, not the Swiss, can take away his French license.
Title: Swiss motorcross masters
Location: Frauenfeld, Thurgau
Link out: Click here
Description: Acrobatics and free-style show.
Date: 13 Apr 2009
Title: Supercross exhibit and race
Location: Palexpo, Geneva
Link out: Click here
Description: Two days and evenings of adrenaline and speed dirt bikes.
Start Date: 05 Dec 2008
End Date: 06 Dec 2008
