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Driving under the influence of alcohol is taken seriously in Chur, the capital of the canton of Graubünden, as it is across Switzerland. Swiss road-safety rules aim to protect road users by setting legal blood-alcohol concentration limits and by giving police clear powers to stop drivers, perform breath or blood tests, and impose immediate administrative measures. Offences can lead to fines, provisional or long-term withdrawal of the driving licence, mandatory medical or psychological assessments, and in serious cases criminal prosecution, imprisonment or compensation obligations if an accident causes injury or death.
A lawyer who specialises in traffic and criminal law can help at different stages and in different situations. Typical reasons to seek legal help include:
- You were stopped and arrested for suspected drunk driving and you received a provisional driving ban or your licence was taken away.
- You are facing administrative sanctions from the cantonal road authorities, such as fines, mandatory medical-psychological assessments, or licence suspension.
- You are under criminal investigation or have been charged because your driving under the influence caused an accident, injury or death.
- You refused a breathalyser or blood test and now face legal consequences from that refusal.
- You believe the tests were unreliable or procedure was incorrect and want to challenge the evidence or the stop.
- You need help preparing for hearings, negotiating plea agreements, or applying for early reinstatement of your driving licence with conditions such as alcohol interlock requirements.
Key aspects of the law in Chur reflect federal Swiss road-traffic legislation together with cantonal enforcement practices from Graubünden. Important points to understand are:
- Legal limits - For most drivers Switzerland sets a maximum permitted blood-alcohol concentration. Stricter limits apply to novice drivers and professional drivers. Exceeding the limit can trigger administrative or criminal sanctions depending on the level and circumstances.
- Police powers - Police may stop a vehicle on reasonable suspicion, use breathalyser devices at the roadside, and order a formal breath or blood test. Refusal to comply when a lawful order is given can itself result in sanctions.
- Administrative action - Cantonal authorities can issue administrative penalties such as fines, temporary or long-term licence withdrawal, or an order to undergo fitness-to-drive assessment. These measures can be imposed quickly after an offence.
- Criminal liability - Where intoxication is severe, or where driving under the influence causes an accident with injury or death, criminal charges may follow. Convictions can lead to fines, suspended or actual imprisonment, and an entry on criminal records.
- Reinstatement conditions - After suspension or withdrawal, drivers often must demonstrate fitness to drive. This can include medical or psychological evaluations, treatment programs, or installing an alcohol interlock on the vehicle as a condition of getting the licence back.
- Cantonal variation - While federal law sets the framework, some enforcement practices and administrative procedures vary by canton. In Graubünden, local police and the cantonal road-traffic office administer sanctions and processes for Chur residents and visitors.
The general legal limit in Switzerland for most drivers is lower than in many non-European countries and is enforced in Chur. There are stricter limits for novice drivers and drivers of commercial vehicles. If you are unsure which limit applies to you, consult a lawyer or the local road-traffic office so you know how the rules affect your situation.
Police in Chur may perform a roadside sobriety check and use a preliminary breathalyser. If there is reasonable suspicion, they can require a formal breath or blood test. If you are over the limit or refuse a lawful test, police can issue an immediate provisional driving-ban and start administrative or criminal procedures. You should remain calm, provide identification, and you may politely state you want legal advice before answering detailed questions.
Refusing a lawful order to submit to an official test can carry serious consequences, including fines, licence withdrawal and possible criminal proceedings. The exact effect of a refusal depends on the circumstances. You should consult a lawyer as soon as possible if you refused a test or are considering whether to comply in a future stop.
Penalties depend on the BAC level, prior record, and whether an accident occurred. Common sanctions include fines, provisional or long-term withdrawal of the licence, mandatory medical or psychological assessment, driver re-education programs, and in serious cases imprisonment. Civil liability for property damage, medical costs and compensation to victims may apply if an accident happened.
Not every administrative sanction creates a criminal record. However, serious cases involving high intoxication levels or accidents causing injury or death are often prosecuted criminally and can lead to a criminal conviction. Even administrative decisions can have long-term consequences for employment and insurance. A lawyer can explain whether your case is likely to lead to criminal proceedings.
A lawyer with traffic-law experience can review police procedure, device calibration records, chain of custody for blood samples, and laboratory reports. If there were procedural errors, improperly maintained equipment, or rights violations, a lawyer may be able to challenge the evidence or negotiate reduced administrative or criminal consequences.
Ensure safety and call emergency services if anyone is injured. After immediate safety steps, preserve evidence such as photos and witness names, and contact a lawyer before making detailed statements to police or insurers. Legal representation is especially important where injury, significant damage or possible criminal charges are involved.
Suspension length varies with the offence. After suspension or withdrawal, you may need to undergo fitness-to-drive assessments, complete rehabilitation programs, or install an alcohol interlock device, depending on the conditions set by the cantonal authority. A lawyer can advise on the likely requirements and help prepare applications for reinstatement.
Yes. Foreign drivers in Chur are subject to Swiss law. Police can detain a foreign licence temporarily and the cantonal authority can order suspension or withdrawal. In cross-border situations authorities may inform the driver-s home country or coordinate with foreign licensing authorities. If you are a foreign national, seek legal advice promptly about how Swiss measures affect your ability to drive at home and abroad.
Costs vary with the complexity of the case and the lawyer-s experience. Fees can cover initial advice, negotiating with authorities, representation at hearings, and court defence. A specialised lawyer can often achieve better outcomes than unrepresented defendants - for example by challenging evidence, negotiating reduced administrative measures or arranging conditional reinstatement of driving privileges. Many lawyers offer an initial consultation to explain likely costs and prospects.
Useful bodies and organisations to contact or research include local cantonal authorities and agencies that handle traffic and legal matters in Graubünden and Switzerland. Examples of helpful resources are:
- The cantonal police in Graubünden - for information on procedures followed at roadside stops and to obtain a copy of any police report.
- The cantonal road-traffic office in Graubünden - for details on administrative sanctions, licence suspension and reinstatement requirements.
- The public prosecutor-s office in Graubünden - if you have been notified of a criminal investigation.
- Swiss federal road and transport authorities - for national regulations and background on road-safety policy.
- The regional or cantonal bar association - to find qualified lawyers specialising in traffic and criminal law.
- Organisations offering rehabilitation and driver-safety courses - these may be required by authorities or helpful for demonstrating rehabilitation.
- Legal-aid offices - if you need assistance and have limited funds, you may qualify for subsidised legal help through cantonal legal-aid schemes.
If you are facing a drunk-driving matter in Chur, consider the following practical steps:
- Document everything - write down what happened as soon as you can, including times, locations, names of officers, and witness details.
- Preserve evidence - keep any documents, medical reports, photos and correspondence from authorities or insurers.
- Seek legal advice promptly - contact a lawyer experienced in Swiss traffic and criminal law to review your case and explain your options. Early advice can influence whether you must comply with tests, how to handle police questions and what defence strategies are viable.
- Comply with immediate legal obligations - meet deadlines for responding to administrative notices, attend required assessments or hearings, and follow instructions from authorities while you arrange representation.
- Consider rehabilitation or assessment voluntarily if appropriate - in some cases taking steps to show rehabilitation or fitness to drive can improve your chances of mitigating sanctions.
- Prepare for licence-reinstatement requirements - if your licence is suspended or withdrawn, start gathering medical records and other documentation that may be needed for a future application to regain driving privileges.
Every case is different. A qualified local lawyer can give personalised advice, represent you before cantonal authorities and courts, and work to achieve the best possible result given the facts of your case.
