Could it be the end of the road for large cars? Well, polluting, petrol-guzzling vehicles could soon be banned from Swiss roads altogether if voters get their way.
The youth section of the Green Party in Switzerland, known simply as the Young Greens, has collected enough signatures to call for a nationwide vote on its initiative simply named: ‘for more people-friendly vehicles’.
Under the initiative, vehicles that produce excessive amounts of harmful emissions would be banned altogether and it would be up to the Government to set the exact limits. Cars already registered would be exempt, as would forestry and agricultural vehicles.
So far the group has received massive support. Under the Swiss system of direct democracy, 100,000 signatures must be amassed to create a nationwide vote on a subject and the Young Greens claim to have collected around 150,000 in support of its initiative.
Furthermore, around 50 supporters joined the group as the boxes containing the signatures were carried to the federal chancery in Bern on Monday.
Nevertheless, the group does face opposition from a number of motoring organisations who fear the move would drive a number of four-wheel drive and large vehicles off the roads completely.
