Art. 49 Ordinance of September 5, 1979, on Road Signage (OSR) - Principles

On place name signs, direction signs, advance direction signs, and preselection signs (Art. 50 to 53), the names of localities shall be inscribed in the language spoken in the announced localities; with regard to municipalities where two languages are spoken, the language spoken by the majority of the inhabitants must be chosen. If the name of a locality is written differently in two languages, the front of the place name sign will carry both spellings, provided that the linguistic minority represents at least 30% of the inhabitants.

Direction signs, advance direction signs, and preselection signs will primarily mention localities; if necessary, they can announce important local destinations (e.g., the train station, the center, the hospital). Art. 54, para. 4 applies to “Company” direction signs, and para. 9 of the same article applies to tourist signage and direction signs for hotels. The symbols used on the direction signs, as well as their meanings, are listed in Annex 2, sec. 5.

The provisions of Art. 84 to 91 apply to direction signs, advance direction signs, and preselection signs placed on highways and expressways.

The direction signs, advance direction signs, and preselection signs on highways and expressways may only mention the localities designated by the DETEC.