Winter is a special time also for drivers. Snowfall and sometimes freezing rain, usually freezing temperatures at night, can make drivers feel uncomfortable behind the wheel. Wheel slippage, skidding, and significantly longer braking distances can have disastrous consequences. The tyres are the only point of contact between the car and the road – it is their quality and condition that determines both the engine's power transmission to the road and the braking power of the brakes. Therefore, the decisive element of the vehicle equipment must be decent, branded winter or all-season tyres with winter approval. Thanks to them, we will avoid problems related to traction – even in demanding road conditions.
– Winter approved tyres are essential. A conscious driver knows that the correct tyres mean safety – better grip, lower risk of skidding – shorter braking distance in difficult road conditions. Even during the day, when it seems that the surface is dry and the grip is sufficient – the negative and close to zero temperatures require winter approved tyres, which will ensure control of the vehicle on slippery or snowy surfaces – reminds Piotr Sarnecki, General Director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association (PTIA).
The research is unequivocal
Recordings from Auto Express and RAC tests on winter tyres[1] show how much tires adequate to the temperature, humidity and slippery surface help the driver to control the vehicle and confirm the difference between winter and summer tyres – not only on snowy roads, but also on wet roads. cool autumn and winter temperatures:
Before going on vacation
The car should be prepared in advance for departure. One of the elements of the so-called "Check list". The next tires should be dedicated to the season or all-season. However, in the latter case, you must remember that the tyres must have a snowflake icon. This is a confirmation of the product's approval for winter conditions. Otherwise, it may turn out that despite the use of a year-round product, our car will not have sufficient grip. You should also check whether the tyres or rims are not crooked or damaged. Their bad condition can lead to the so-called "Beating" while driving – especially at higher speeds, and thus faster wear of individual elements. Let's not forget about the spare wheel, which should also be checked – periodically inflate and check that the rubber has not started to stick.
Check list:
Not only tyres
When going to the high mountains, it is worth considering packing anti-skid chains – required on some routes (marked with the c-18 sign) – scrapers, brushes, gloves. Just in case, a warm blanket and an emergency chocolate bar would also be useful if the car came to a stop in unfavorable environmental conditions (motorway jams, road closures, etc.).
Where winter tyres are obligatory?
Before you go on vacation, you need to make sure that the country to which you are going has no obligation to have winter tires. Already in 29 European countries, the requirement to drive on seasonal tyres is introduced, and the regulations clearly specify the period or conditions of their use. In 16 countries, these are specific calendar dates (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Belarus, Russia, Norway, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Macedonia, Turkey). Only 2 of them have this obligation defined by road conditions (Germany, Luxemburg). There are also countries where there is a mixed calendar and weather obligation (Austria, Croatia, Romania, Slovakia), an obligation imposed by signs (Spain, France, Italy) or the need to adapt the car to winter with financial consequences for causing an accident on summer tyres (Switzerland , Liechtenstein).
Countries which, in turn, do not have any restrictions include Denmark, Great Britain, Ireland, Portugal, Hungary and Greece. Poland also belongs to this group. Every year, almost 2,500 people die on our roads and there are almost tens of thousands of accidents and road collisions[2]. The poor technical condition of vehicles is responsible for many of these events – a great part of which is caused by the poor condition of the tyres.
Winter tyre requirement in Europe:
|
Regulation |
Country |
|
Calendar obligation (defined by dates) |
Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Finland Belarus, Russia, Norway, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine |
|
Obligation depending only on weather conditions |
Germany, Luxemburg |
|
Mixed calendar and weather obligation |
Austria, Croatia, Romania, Slovakia |
|
Obligation imposed by signs |
Spain, France, Italy |
|
The driver's obligation to adapt the car to winter and the financial consequences of causing an accident with summer tires |
Switzerland, Liechtenstein |
– The argument raised by some drivers that we are too poor a country to comply with the obligation to drive on winter tyres or all-season tyres with winter approval is false and pointless. As many as 18 out of 29 European countries where the requirement to use seasonal or all-season tyres has been introduced, has a lower GDP than Poland – summarizes Sarnecki.
[1] Winter Tyres v Summer Tyres: the Truth! - Auto Express, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elP_34ltdWI
[2] Report of the Police Headquarters, Road Traffic Office "Road accidents in Poland in 2020"
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association