The Swiss canton where cars had to be pulled by horses

7 hours ago

Between 1900 and 1925, Graubünden canton in Switzerland enforced a total ban on automobiles, requiring cars to be pulled by horses or oxen across its borders.
The ban was enacted due to safety concerns on narrow, unpaved roads, social conflicts over costs and class disparities, and protection of local transport livelihoods and railway investments.
Direct democracy played a key role, with voters rejecting car legalization nine times before narrowly approving it in a tenth ballot in 1925, influenced by World War I needs and the practical benefits of motorized transport like the PostBus.
Post-ban, car ownership in Graubünden surged, making it now one of Switzerland's highest car-density regions, though modern discussions focus on car restrictions for climate, noise, and congestion reasons.

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