Switzerland: The history of yellow pedestrian crossings

The St. Gallen Cantonal Police provided a historical overview of why Switzerland utilizes yellow pedestrian crossings instead of the white stripes common in many other countries.

Early methods for marking crossings included simple lines or iron nails in the asphalt. Pedestrian crossings were officially recognized in Swiss traffic law in 1932, requiring drivers to slow down or stop for pedestrians. In 1936, the Federal Council recommended the color yellow, drawing inspiration from the yellow markings used on Swiss hiking trails.

The first yellow pedestrian crossing in Switzerland was painted in Basel in 1948. Subsequent regulations in 1962 and 1963 legally established right-of-way rules and standardized the specific shape of the yellow stripes.