Seatbelt and Child Safety Laws
- 1/24All occupants in a vehicle must
In Switzerland, seatbelt use is mandatory for all passengers, front and rear. Failing to comply results in fines for each unbelted person.
Drivers are responsible for ensuring
If a minor under 16 is not wearing a seatbelt, the driver will be fined and held legally responsible.
Children under 12 or under 150 cm in height
Swiss law requires booster seats or child safety systems based on height and weight for children below 12 years or 150 cm tall.
Babies under 9 kg must be
Rear-facing car seats offer better neck protection and are required for newborns and infants under 9 kg.
Installing a child seat in the front passenger seat
Airbags can injure children in rear-facing seats. Disable the airbag if installing such a seat in front.
Booster seats must be used for children
Booster seats ensure the seatbelt fits properly over the child’s shoulder and hips, not the neck or stomach.
All child restraints must
The restraint system must comply with European standards ECE R44/03, R44/04, or R129 and be suitable for the child’s age, weight, and height.
A child seat must be secured using
Most modern cars support ISOFIX anchors for secure attachment; otherwise, seatbelts can be used.
Children must never be left
It is illegal and dangerous to leave children alone in parked vehicles, even for a short time.
Seatbelt exemptions apply
Drivers or passengers with medical reasons must carry official documentation proving exemption.
If a vehicle does not have rear seatbelts
Older cars without belts in rear seats are not allowed to transport children under 12 without restraints.
In taxis and ride-share vehicles
All passengers in taxis and ride-share cars must wear seatbelts. Parents must bring appropriate child seats.
Using a second-hand child seat
It must not be expired, damaged, or missing labels. Safety compliance must be verified before use.
Transporting children in cargo areas
The use of luggage areas or open truck beds for passengers, especially children, is illegal and highly dangerous.
A child may not sit in the front seat
The front seat is allowed only with a legal restraint system and airbag safety measures.
In school buses or child transport vans
School transport vehicles are required to follow seatbelt and restraint laws without exception.
Seatbelt reminder systems
Modern cars are equipped with seatbelt alarms that should not be disabled or ignored.
The penalty for not wearing a seatbelt
Every unrestrained occupant incurs an individual fine. Repeated offenses can lead to further legal consequences.
Child restraint misuse wrong size or direction
Using an inappropriate seat for a child’s weight or height is a punishable safety violation.
Failing to secure a child correctly in a car seat
Misuse or loose installation defeats the purpose of the restraint and leads to fines.
Transporting multiple children in one seatbelt
Each passenger, regardless of size or age, must have their own seatbelt or approved restraint.
Airbag warning labels on sun visors or dashboards
These labels warn against placing children in seats with active airbags and must be strictly observed.
Buckling a child seat into the middle seat
The center seat is often safest, but must have a seatbelt or ISOFIX point to be used legally.
Modifying or padding seatbelts or child seats
Altering safety equipment e.g., using clips or cushions compromises protection and violates safety regulations.