CrosswindSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


40. Crosswind

Crosswind is wind blowing across the direction of travel and can push a vehicle sideways or affect its stability. Strong or sudden gusts are especially dangerous for motorcycles, bicycles, caravans, trailers and high-sided vehicles. Drivers should reduce speed, keep a firm but relaxed grip on the steering wheel and allow extra space from other road users. Particular care is needed on bridges, exposed roads and when passing large vehicles or leaving sheltered areas, where a sudden change in wind force can move the vehicle unexpectedly.

Crosswind
Warning for heavy crosswind for 5 kilometres. (Evionnaz, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
Where can crosswinds be especially hazardous in Switzerland?

Watch for gusts on exposed road sections and when emerging from shelter. Adjust speed to the wind, your vehicle and its load, and leave enough space to keep control. Take particular care with high-sided vehicles, motorcycles and trailers.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR articles 15,22; OCR articles 3-4; LCR articles 26-27,31-32

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Does a crosswind warning automatically impose a speed limit in Switzerland?

A general danger warning about wind does not itself set a numerical speed limit. Obey any separate regulatory speed sign or traffic restriction and reduce speed further whenever the wind could affect control.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR articles 15,22; OCR articles 3-4; LCR articles 26-27,31-32

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Warning for strong crosswinds. Warning for strong crosswinds.

English • Traffic sign 1.29 (historical) • Crosswinds. Historical sign. Since 1 July 2026, number 1.29 denotes ‘Helicopters’.

Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.29 (historisch) • Seitenwind. Historisches Signal. Die Nummer 1.29 bezeichnet seit 1. Juli 2026 «Helikopter».

Français • Signal 1.29 (historique) • Vent latéral. Signal historique. Depuis le 1er juillet 2026, le numéro 1.29 désigne «Hélicoptères».

Italiano • Segnale 1.29 (storico) • Vento laterale. Segnale storico. Dal 1° luglio 2026 il numero 1.29 indica «Elicotteri».

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (2015) (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV 2026, Art. 14 (DE)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (2015) (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 2026, art. 14 (FR)

🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (2015) (IT)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr 2026, art. 14 (IT)

SVG source: Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How should you drive a motorcycle, van or vehicle towing a caravan in strong winds in Switzerland?

These vehicles may react sharply to gusts. Reduce speed smoothly, leave more room from traffic, hold the controls steadily and take extra care when passing a lorry or emerging from shelter. Follow any temporary restriction for high-sided vehicles.

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR articles 15,22; OCR articles 3-4; LCR articles 26-27,31-32

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026

🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...