Sneaking is actually forbidden
When a lurker pulls a snake behind him in front of us, the question arises: Is he allowed to do that? In fact, driving too slowly without a compelling reason is prohibited. But in practice, it all depends on the individual case.
At first glance, everything seems clear as far as slow drivers are concerned. The Traffic Regulations Ordinance (VRV) explicitly states that "without a compelling reason, you may not drive so slowly" that it "impedes the smooth flow of traffic". Ideally, the limit should therefore be used to some extent. Otherwise, according to the VRV, you must at least "facilitate overtaking", for example by driving on the right-hand side or stopping in a parking space.
Now comes the big but. The magic word is "imperative". This is because the speed may, should and even must be significantly reduced if circumstances require it. Weather, road, traffic, driving by sight - all these and other factors can be "compelling reasons" and then justify driving slowly. In the event of a citation, all factors would be taken into account by the court. And, of course, the extent of the obstruction would also be decisive. Were numerous cars obstructed, one or none? Could you have overtaken?
In other words, if you are driving at 60 km/h on a winding mountain road, you are unlikely to be fined. If you do the same on a long straight with a queue behind you, you could be fined. However, it should not be forgotten that driving slowly is "only" an obstruction, but driving fast is a hazard. And endangerment is prosecuted as a matter of priority (and punished more severely). This goes so far that if a slow driver is dangerously overtaken by a speeding driver, the police would have to prosecute the speeding driver first - because the latter's offense is more serious.
Sneaking is rarely fined, The fine is usually between 200 and 300 francs plus fees. Occasionally there are cases like the driver who pulled an incredible 170 cars behind him on the Julier 2022 and paid a total of 780 francs for it. Important: Vigilante justice or revenge? Absolutely not! Otherwise it's guaranteed to be far more expensive, because other people's misconduct is never a justification for your own mistakes. Tailgating, for example, is dangerous and absolutely taboo.
What AutoSprintCH wants: Driving slowly is not a problem in itself. Just please don't accelerate again on the next suitable straight, but stay slow for a short time, drive on the edge and tap the right blinker - so that faster drivers can pass. We do this on trips in classic cars, for example, and would like to see it more often. Because together we all arrive in traffic much more relaxed.
