On Thursday, March 1, 2025, Swiss highways experienced multiple incidents attributed to driver fatigue, raising concerns about road safety. A series of accidents occurred on the A5 near Grenchen and the A1 near Deitingen, leaving one person injured and another dead.
At approximately 18:25, police reported a self-inflicted accident involving a 74-year-old man on the A5 highway. After apparently succumbing to what is commonly known as 'Sekundenschlaf' or secondary sleep, the driver lost control of his vehicle, causing it to crash against the central barrier. The force of the impact propelled the vehicle across lanes, leading it to collide head-on with the tunnel wall. Reported by the Kantonspolizei Solothurn, the driver sustained light injuries and required hospitalization. This incident resulted in the complete closure of the Wititunnel for some time.
Later on the same night, around 23:35, the Kantonspolizei Solothurn reported another incident on the A1 involving a 61-year-old female van driver. While traveling toward Zurich, the driver failed to notice the lane closure maintained by the National Roads Service and crashed her vehicle against the barrier. Luckily, she exited the van unscathed, but the accident highlighted the dangers of drowsiness behind the wheel.
Another tragic incident occurred earlier on the same day at approximately 6:20 AM, when another driver lost control of his vehicle near Ziefen, resulting in fatal injuries. The man was driving from Seewen toward Ziefen when his vehicle veered off the road and crashed against a tree. The Kantonspolizei Solothurn confirmed the driver died at the scene. Investigators are still probing the accident's circumstances, with the exact cause of the loss of control yet to be established. The road was closed for several hours due to the investigation and cleanup.
Traffic disruptions were not limited to these individual accidents. On the evening of February 28, 2025, another incident occurred on the A1 between Niederbipp and Oensingen, causing the blockage of one lane and subsequent traffic jams reported by TCS. These events underscored the need for heightened awareness and vigilance among drivers on the roads.
With each of these incidents pointing toward fatigue as a contributing factor, authorities are urging drivers to remain conscientious about their state of alertness when behind the wheel. Failing to do so could lead not only to injuries but also fatalities, as demonstrated by the recent tragic events.
Police have highlighted the importance of regular breaks during drives and the establishment of safer driving habits. They point out the consequences of negligence and the collective responsibility all motorists share to maintain road safety. The continuous awareness campaigns and stricter regulations surrounding fatigue via education initiatives and road monitoring are proving necessary.
Swiss highways are frequented by many drivers, and as the number of vehicles increases, so does the risk of accidents. Recklessness and fatigue cannot coexist without raising alarm bells. For every driver, the call for responsibility has never been clearer—ensure you are alert when driving. Together, we can work to create safer road conditions and reduce the occurrence of similar tragic incidents.