Lights on for daytime driving: mandatory from 1 January 2014

In accordance with the Swiss Federal Decree of 15 June 2012, it will be mandatory from 1 January 2014 to keep your vehicle lights permanently switched on when driving on Swiss territory.

New vehicles are now equipped with daytime running lights which switch on automatically. For older vehicles, side lights can be used as daytime running lights, and it is always possible to fit specific daytime running lights to a vehicle at a later date.

This measure is already in force in most European countries and is particularly aimed at improving the visibility of vehicles and helping pedestrians and cyclists to judge the distance and speed of an approaching vehicle more easily.

From 1 January 2014, this obligation applies to all “automobiles (passenger cars, heavy goods vehicles, delivery vehicles and coaches)”⁽¹⁾ as well as to “motorcycles” driven on Swiss roads. “Electric bicycles and vehicles in circulation before 1970”⁽²⁾ are exempt. 

As Swiss traffic regulations apply on the Swiss part of the CERN site and French traffic regulations apply on the French part, the above requirement must be respected when driving on the Swiss part.

In France, driving with lights on permanently is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. Drivers are encouraged to apply this safety measure even on the French part of the CERN site.

HSE Unit and GS Department

^{(1) and (2)} Swiss Confederation, Via sicura – Information sheet, Measures covered by the Federal Decree of 15 June 2012, 2nd package

For further information (in French):
• Loi fédérale sur la circulation routière, modification du 15 juin 2012.
• Touring Club Suisse (TCS) : obligation dès le 1^er janvier 2014 de rouler de jour avec les feux allumés.