Spike seen in number of train drivers running red lights
According to a Sunday report in SonntagsZeitung, train conductors have never ignored as many traffic lights as they did in 2017.
This content was published on
1 minute
SonntagsZeitung/SDA-ATS/cl
Based on unpublished statistics from the Swiss Transport Ministry, last year a record 325 cases were identified in which railway signals were disregarded, compared to 232 in 2010. In 2018, 87 cases have been reported already.
According to the statistics, most of the time, the signals are ignored in train stations or rail yards. Accidents caused by not respecting signals have resulted in 90 injuries since 2010, of which 15 were serious, and have cost CHF54 million ($54.3 million) in damages.
The problem has reached “worrying proportions”, the Swiss Association of Locomotive Drivers (VSLF) was quoted as saying. The association called for prolonging training for conductors to help address the issue.
A transport ministry spokesperson said that while the ministry recognised the above-average incidence of such manoeuvres, those concerning passenger transport remain constant despite “traffic increasing every year”.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
OECD: Sluggish economic activity slowing growth in Switzerland
This content was published on
Sluggish economic activity at the start of the year is weighing on growth in Switzerland, with GDP expected to fall to 1.1% in 2024.
Report finds mistakes which led to Swiss government data breach
This content was published on
Mistakes were made by both the government and internet company Xplain in the case of a criminal cyber-attack on the Bern-based IT business.
Swiss government wants better gender balance in federal administration
This content was published on
New Swiss government personnel management targets say there must be even more female managers in the federal administration.
Swiss national science foundation funded over 5,000 projects in 2023
This content was published on
In 2023, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) provided a total of CHF961 million worth of funding towards research projects.
Switzerland invites 160 delegations to June Ukraine peace talks
This content was published on
Russia is currently not among the delegations invited to talks aimed at helping bring about peace in the conflict between Moscow and Ukraine.
Survey: air travel most popular way to go on holidays for Swiss
This content was published on
Despite the climate crisis, flying is the most popular mode of transport for private travel – particularly among young, urban and high-income travellers.
Swiss government to use phone data to identify asylum seekers
This content was published on
From April 2025, authorities plan to be able to analyse data from mobile phones, computers and other data carriers to identify asylum seekers.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Safety questions raised following train crash
This content was published on
An initial investigation has found that the most likely cause of the frontal collision between two passenger trains – the worst accident of its kind in ten years – was human error on the part of one driver. In all, 25 people were injured in the accident at Granges-près-Marnand on a section of the regional line…
Campaign aims to boost public transport safety further
This content was published on
2017 saw 167 serious accidents on public transport in Switzerland, the second lowest figure in 11 years, but authorities want to bring it down further.
This content was published on
“It’s a catastrophic year for the Federal Railways,” declares the Blick tabloid, blaring the question “are the railways still safe?” across its front page. One person was killed and 35 others were injured when two regional trains collided head-on in western Switzerland on Monday. An editorial by the transport correspondent of the prestigious Neue Zürcher…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.