Road Rules Crackdown Continues; Police, Camera, Action; Migros Tests Automated Shop

News For 2 February 2021

As we reported last week, the police are on a tear taking a draconian interpretation of the rules governing operation of motor vehicles to issue citations.  Case in point: A 35 year-old woman was sent a 435 Franc ticket for operating an unsafe electric scooter on city roads.  Apparently, excess speed was not the issue - rather, the photo which was taken of her indicated she was operating a scooter not suited to meet the safety requirements of operating a motorized vehicle.  While no specific approved model lists exist, the law requires e-scooters to be equipped with brakes on both wheels, lights on both front and back, a warning bell and a top speed of 20 km/h.  If you're in doubt rent a scooter-share and inspect it for reference before purchasing one yourself.  

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The Basel police force may now use body cameras, drone cameras or GPS devices to observe suspects and prohibit sensitive events as a new law has been passed.  The Basel district administrator passed the revised police law last Thursday which was unanimously voted 81 votes to 0 in favour.  The new law also allows police to turn away onlookers in the event of accidents and crimes for privacy.  Although the revised law allows the police to use video cameras in their vehicles and drones to monitor crowds and to detect criminal acts, police have no plans to purchase bodycams anytime soon.

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Migros has started testing a new un-staffed store concept in Grenchen, Solothurn.  Branded a "Voi Cube" store, shopping for 500 different items at the new store is completely automated, the first of its kind in Switzerland.  To shop at the store, an app is loaded on your smartphone.  When you've gathered the goods you need, you display the QR code embedded in the app on your way through the automated checkout lane.  Once your payment is processed, the doors to the store open and billing is handled through the app.  Andrea Bauer, spokeswoman for Migros says the store will be open round-the-clock, even on holidays.  Locations have been planned based on the success of the pilot store.