Boneheaded Brit Pulls Dangerous Stunt in Swiss Tunnel — Pays the Price for Life

A reckless stunt that shocked Switzerland — and went viral worldwide

On August 30, 2025, a British motorcyclist ignored all safety rules in Switzerland’s Gotthard Tunnel — overtaking not just two trucks, but also 45 cars along the way.
When he emerged from the tunnel, police from the Canton of Uri were already waiting. His punishment? A lifetime driving ban in Switzerland and a fine of around €13,000 (≈ $15,200) — one of the highest penalties ever handed to a private driver in the country.

In Switzerland, fines scale with income, meaning each illegal overtake cost the rider roughly €270 ($316). He also faces a criminal case for reckless endangerment and possibly driving while unfit.

Why the Swiss Gotthard Tunnel has an absolute no-passing rule

At 10.5 miles (17 km) long, the Swiss Gotthard Tunnel is one of Europe’s longest road tunnels and a crucial link between northern and southern Europe. But its layout and conditions make overtaking incredibly dangerous:

• One narrow lane per direction, with no divider — anyone overtaking drives straight into oncoming traffic.
• Artificial lighting causes optical illusions, making it hard to judge distances and speeds.
• Extreme heat — summer temperatures can exceed 95°F (35°C) — adds stress and mechanical risk.

Even a single wrong move could lead to a catastrophic head-on collision.

The deadly lesson from 2001

This isn’t a theoretical risk. In October 2001, two trucks collided head-on inside the tunnel, igniting an inferno that reached over 2,200°F (1,200°C). Eleven people died, and the tunnel was shut down for months.

Since that disaster, Switzerland has maintained a zero-tolerance policy: no overtaking, ever. Cameras, smoke detectors, and automatic traffic controls monitor every vehicle. Offenders are flagged instantly and intercepted right after exiting the tunnel.

Heavy fines with a life-saving purpose

A single illegal overtake in the Gotthard Tunnel can result in a fine of several hundred dollars, while repeat or extreme violations — like this one — can lead to permanent driving bans.

Swiss authorities emphasize that these penalties aren’t about revenue; they’re about preventing mass-casualty accidents. In a closed tunnel with no escape routes, one reckless act can trigger a chain reaction of deadly crashes.

A warning for all travelers in Europe

Every year, millions of drivers use the Swiss Gotthard Tunnel on their way to Italy or southern France. This case serves as a stark reminder: passing or tailgating in a tunnel can cost you thousands of dollars — or your license, or even your life.

Switzerland makes no exceptions. And given the tragedy of 2001, that’s exactly how it should be. The Swiss Gotthard Tunnel remains one of Europe’s most vital — and most perilous — roadways. Here, strict rules aren’t red tape. They’re survival.