Where are winter tires required?

Over the past few years, harsh winters have taught Polish drivers that it is dangerous to drive with summer tires at this time of the year. There are still no provisions in Polish legislation requiring the use of winter tyres. However, this is not the case in many European countries.

Winter is the time when many families decide to go to the mountains or after only for travel abroad. One of the elements that significantly affect safety during such a trip are the tires in our car. Although the heavy snowfall of recent years has clearly shown how important it is to have winter tires, many drivers are still convinced of their high skill and try to keep their car on the road with summer tires.

READ ALSO

For the winter - winter tires

Time to switch to winter tires

In addition to the risk associated with an accident, such driving outside of Poland can result in a high fine. Going to Germany in winter, we must remember that in this country it is mandatory to use winter tires wherever winter conditions prevail. The rules also allow the use of all-season tires. Austria applies similar legal provisions. From November 1 to April 15, drivers are required to use winter or all-season wheels marked M + S, which allows them to be used in mud and snow.

In turn, in another Alpine country, in France, we may be ordered to drive on winter tires according to special signs along the road. Interestingly, drivers in this country can use studded wheels. In this case, a special marking of the vehicle is required, and the maximum speed, regardless of the conditions, cannot exceed 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside them.

In Switzerland, there are also no rules for driving a car equipped with winter tires. In practice, however, it is better to equip ourselves with them, because in the event of a traffic jam on the hill, we can get a fine if our car runs on summer tires. There are also severe penalties for drivers responsible for accidents due to improper tires.

Bordering France and Switzerland is the Aosta Valley, which belongs to Italy. On local roads, the use of a car with winter tires is mandatory from October 15 to April 15. In other regions of Italy, signs may recommend the use of winter wheels or chains.

Many Poles go to visit our southern neighbors in winter. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, winter tires must be used from 1 November to 31 March if the road conditions are winter. In the first country, a driver can be fined 2 crowns, that is, approximately 350 zł, for not complying with this provision.

Interestingly, foreign drivers visiting Norway and Sweden must also equip their vehicles with winter tires. This does not apply to Finland, where the requirement to use such tires is valid from 1 December to 31 January.

Therefore, when choosing a trip abroad, remember that winter tires increase not only the level of safety, but also the wealth of our wallet.