CrosswindSwitzerland
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.
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.
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

Traffic rules
Switzerland