Honk at slow drivers?
Why you should not honk at slow drivers.
Tempo Passati:
I’m on the road every day for work and often under time pressure. Time and again I see slow drivers who only drive 30 km/h in the 50 km/h zone. That is extremely annoying!
What can I do? Am I allowed to honk at slow drivers or do I just have to accept it?
Answer:
Hello Tempo
You do not have to accept slow drivers without a reason. According to Art. 4 para. 5 of the Traffic Regulation Ordinance (VRV) the smooth flow of traffic is not impeded by slow driving for no reason. If a slow driver drives without reason at only 30 km/h where 50 km/h is permitted, he is liable to prosecution. You could therefore report such slow drivers to the police.
If the road conditions permit and you want to overtake a slow-moving driver, you may – if safety requires it – give a single short horn or light signal (Art. 29 para. 1 VRV). Unnecessary or repeated honking of the horn or flashing of the lights is not permitted and is punishable by law.
Matthias Fricker
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the University of St. Gallen, graduating with a Master in Law (M.A. HSG in Law) in 2012, registered in the Bar Register of the Canton of Zurich, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
Fabian Füllemann
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the Universities of St. Gallen and Zurich, graduating with a Master of Law UZH in 2013, registered with the Zurich Bar Registry, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
