WINTER TYRES - Should it be made law to use them?

[The-HouseHusband]

Having worked abroad for many years in various parts of Europe it was very apparent which vehicles had winter tyres fitted in cold conditions and which did not. Most countries are now making it law that these tyres must be fitted between November and March. The accident rates and traffic hold ups in countries where they are used are dramatically better than in the UK even with the weather being more severe. I know people will say it will cost them more, but surely this will be out weighed by the reductions in insurance premiums due to less accidents and less annoyance due to people and deliveries being able to move around the country.

[karenmac60]

Would you have to get new tires every 6 months? I really don't use my car that often and I think I'd have to rethink having it at all if that were the case....

[Buenchico]

Read the comments of Colm Conyngham (who works for a tyre company, Bridgestone, and who you might expect to want to see sales of such tyres increased) here:
http://www.irishtimes...06/1224261723511.html

Chris

[boxtops]

It would be more sensible, in the case of occasional snowfall, to carry a set of snow socks and a spade, etc. There was something on the news the other day, pointing out that people wouldn't go out in this weather wearing t-shirts and flipflops, but they jump in their car completely unprepared for any snow and ice problems which they might encounter.

[hc4361]

And where do you suggest those living in bedsits, flats, small homes store them during the summer?
How many drivers could switch their tyres twice a year safely?

Knowing how to drive safely in all weather conditions is far more useful and practical.

[starone]

Sorry to intrude Househusband but must ask Chris if he has the same avatar as jake-the-peg. I keep thinking it is him and then find out it is not.

[The-HouseHusband]

Usual practice in Europe is to have to sets of wheels for your car, one fitted with the standard tyres supplied with the car and a second set fitted with the winter tyres, usually the winter tyres are fitted on steel rims as alloys are more prone to damage in cold weather. Storage isn't a problem either as the tyre dealers have storage areas and all you pay is for them to swap them over, most i was charged was 20 Euro's for the service

[ChuckFickens]

the weather we are having this year is very much an exception, we normally only get a few days of light snow, if that, a year.

Is it worth going to any expense for about 1% of the year?

[Buenchico]

(With apologies to the original poster):

Hi, Starbuckone.
As a dedicated Europhile I decided to seek an appropriate Christmas avatar (to annoy all of AB's Europhobes) and ran a Google image search:
http://tinyurl.com/38bwdkg
It simply looks as if Jake did the same thing (but he chose the logo without the red border, so they're not actually identical).

Chris

[The-HouseHusband]

EDDIE51 Winter tyres are not fitted with studs, they are made with more natural rubber than normal tyres which means they stay supple at low temperatures. Most modern tyres are designed to be long lasting, the problem with this is that with all the additives to prevent them from wearing quickly they become hard and brittle at low temps.

[starone]

Right Chris, thanks. With apologies again to Househusband.

[The-HouseHusband]

ChuckFickens winter tyres are not just for snow as everyone assumes, they are designed to hold the road better in cold conditions. Tests carried out have shown that even on dry surfaces at temperatures below 5 degrees the winter tyres stopped the same car from 80KpH on average 10 metres quicker than standard tyres, possibly the difference between an accident or a safe journey!!

[The-HouseHusband]

EDDIE51 - I would love to know where they got that data from as I have been present at various testing grounds and seen the results myself. Before anyone thinks this is touting for business I am not associated with the motor or tyre industry so do not have a vested interest in getting a law passed.

[jake-the-peg]

Seeing as there has been confusion I shall change avatar

[starone]

Thanks Jake. That's what comes of looking at the avatar and ignoring the name underneath.

[AB Editor]

http://www.bewiser.co...winter-compound-tyres

Mark Bower-Dyke, Chairman of Be Wiser Insurance, comments:

"Normal tyres often lose grip when temperatures drop below 7°C and UK winters fall to these temperatures regularly so, unless you live in a well-gritted urban area of the UK, you're likely to benefit."

Might be worthwhile. Do you think a regular change like this might encourage people to learn more about their cars? (Possibly reducing the number of call-outs for the AA etc?)