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Passing placeSwitzerland

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Switzerland

82. Passing place

A passing place is a widened section beside or within a narrow road where vehicles can move aside so that traffic travelling in opposite directions can pass safely. Passing places are commonly used on single-track roads or other roads that are too narrow for two vehicles to pass each other normally.

Drivers should approach passing places at a suitable speed, cooperate with oncoming traffic and avoid blocking the widened area unnecessarily. The priority rules and signs used at passing places vary between countries.

Passing place
Sign indicating a passing place. (Chéserex, Switzerland)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
What is a passing place?

A passing place is a widened area on a narrow road where vehicles can move aside to allow opposing traffic to pass.

Where are passing places commonly found?

They are commonly found on single-track roads, narrow rural roads and mountain roads where the normal road width is insufficient for two vehicles to pass comfortably.

Who has priority at a passing place?

The applicable rule depends on the country and road layout. Drivers should slow down, cooperate with approaching traffic and use the passing place safely rather than assuming automatic priority.

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 ...