Safety line and no overtaking: Can I overtake the tractor?
It is the classic traffic rule that is often confused: Can a bicycle or tractor be passed despite a safety line or despite a ban on overtaking?
We all know this situation: a tractor or bicycle is driving slowly across the country in front of us. No oncoming traffic, we could overtake. But there is a safety line or a no overtaking sign or both. Are we allowed to overtake or not? Problem: Driving school was a long time ago, rules are forgotten. And some infringements are so common that we get used to them - until a fine reminds us what would be correct. In addition, when the safety line is drawn out and overtaking is prohibited: similar situations, but different rules.
The safety line is always off limits
The uninterrupted safety line. It must never be crossed or even touched - no matter how slow the vehicle in front of us is. It may only be crossed if there is an immovable obstacle, if you would otherwise be stuck. Cross the line to overtake a Postbus at the bus stop? No. Breakdown car? Yes. But: The safety line is not an overtaking ban! If another vehicle can be overtaken at a sufficient distance (at least 1.5 meters) without touching it, it is permitted. If there is no no-overtaking sign.
There are exceptions to overtaking bans
The overtaking ban logically prohibits overtaking. However, there are exceptions - namely those that are often mistakenly referred to as the safety line: Despite the overtaking ban, all single-lane vehicles are allowed to overtake, as well as all those that can travel at a maximum of 30 km/h due to their design. This means that a vintage car or tractor with a 40 km/h sticker that is traveling slowly uphill may not be overtaken, but a bicycle or tractor with a 30 km/h sticker may. If, as is often the case, a safety line is marked in addition to the overtaking ban, it must never be touched during the maneuver - see above.
Violations of these rules can be really expensive: a 140-franc fine in urban areas and a 400 to 500-franc fine outside urban areas, including fees. It gets even more expensive when overtaking is prohibited, especially in the case of - even theoretical - danger. And by the way: The solid line to the emergency lane on highways and motorways may only be crossed in an emergency. In other words, in the event of a breakdown or accident, for a rescue lane, in the event of a traffic jam at the exit or if the acceleration lane is not sufficient for merging.
