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.

[sigma]

People still don't wear seat belts or use a mobile phone whilst driving so if it was a legal requirement to fit winter tyres how would it be enforced. Also the fine would be less than the cost of a set of tyres so people wouldn't bother.

[jake-the-peg]

I'm not sure winter types would make that much difference.

They might make things worse by giving people an unwarrented complacency.

Seen enough big 4X4s in ditches!

[R1Geezer]

May I suggest this for your new Avatar Jake:
http://www.google.co....18&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0

Wnter Tyres..... Perlease, this weather is only occasional, are you suggesting everyone has to have 2 sets of wheels + tryres, commercial vehicles too? Don't be ridiculous!

[jake-the-peg]

You're very kind Geezer

Perhaps I could suggest this for yours

http://www.best-of-we...911-215420-475042.jpg

[R1Geezer]

good one jake!

[SlackAlice]

Would Insurance companies view the fitting of different wheels/tyres as a modification?
If so, they would soon charge you an extra premium!!

[ChuckFickens]

If it means there is the minutest chance they can increase your policy or contest a payout then of course they will considered it a modification!

[Bambiagain]

I live in Germany, where winter tyres are now obligatory from November to March. If I had an accident in winter with summer tyres, my insurance company would take a very dim (and expensive to me) view of it. In temperatures below +7 degrees, the rubber in winter tyres is much better for driving in all conditions (as someone has laready said). Luckily I do have space to store a second set of wheels, but for those who don't, tyre outlets and garages will do it for very little money - even for free - and will change your wheels/tyres twice a year for about 10 Euros. The cost of having two sets of tyres (if you only have one set of wheels) is not great if you think about it, since each set will last twice as long since they are only used for half the time. It amounts only to the initial outlay. I do aproaching 25000 kilometres a year and after nearly four years I do need to replace my summer tyres in March. The bottom line is that I NEVER want to drive in snow on summer tyres again. The difference to the car's hadnling is amazing.

[The-HouseHusband]

At last some one with sense, thank you for your input Bambiagain. It is amazing how people who have never tried a product are such experts on the matter. I worked in Germany for a number of years and had the fortune to have one of the garages store and change my tyres each year as i was living in an apartment so no space for storing them myself. Funny how Germany with winter tyre rules keeps moving despite the weather being more unpredictable than the UK. Looks like narrow minded tight wads will always shy away from change for the better.

[The-HouseHusband]

SlackAlice have you ever had a tyre replaced on your car because of a puncture? You only need to notify certain changes to your insurance company, as long as the tyre is the same size and profile as the original fit you are within the law as far as insurance goes, how many people fit the same make of tyre which would cost £150 or go for the economy brand which only costs £50?

[eastern]

Fitted winter tyres to my front wheel drive car and the difference is amazing. Was worried about using them on roads with snow or ice, ie braking distances but quite honestly appart from a bit of a rumble coming from them they are fine. Apparently these type of tyres have a higher rubber content and also obviously a unique tread pattern that allows me to drive up snow covered hills, the only down side however is the insurance companies class fitting them as a modification and can penalise you. One national newspaper brought this up a while ago and they said to complain vehemently to the company concerned in the hope that common sense would prevail. The only other problem as well is getting hold of the them!

[eastern]

When I said in the last post that I was worried about using them on roads with snow and ice, what I actually meant was using them on roads that are clear of snow and ice. Also what the previous guy said about germany is true, the main problem I had in my town was finding someone to fit them, non of the main tyre dealers would fit someone elses tyres claiming some nonsense about liability. In answer to everyones reasoning about having them or not, my neighbour spent 30 minutes this morning trying to get his volvo which is fitted with low profile tyres away from his house, Ive not been stuck once, one up for Vredestein snowtrac's.

[SlackAlice]

Was not thinking so much of the change of tyre but more of the rim. If your car has alloys as standard then changing to steel rims will count as a modification. As eastern points out insurers may consider this modification. Also going from low profile to winter tyres will change your speedo readings.
I'm all for getting better safety on the road but fitting winter grade tyres for about 3-4 months does'nt work for me. Additional costs for insurance, tyre storage, tyre re-fitting would stop a lot of people doing this.

[trt]

It will never be obligatory in the UK, we are not as dumb as the Germans!!!

[sigma]

As far as insurance goes (taken from BBC News web site)
"Even so, some call centre staff appear to have been telling customers that winter tyres require higher premiums.
Insurance companies may have been treating the tyres as a modification to the manufacturer's specifications.
The ABI said providing tyres are fitted by a reputable garage, and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, motorists should not be charged a higher premium.
"The confusion may be through call centres, where that information is not getting through," says Malcolm Tarling, of the ABI.
"The fitting of winter tyres should not affect the risk," he insists.
If anyone is told they do in fact have to pay more when they fit those tyres, they are advised to contact their insurance company's head office directly."

[mushroom25]

was discussing this during a training session presented by AA Drivetech this week.

Whereas insurance companies probably don't charge more in premiums for use of snow tyres, they do still consider them to be a modification.

So if you fit snow tyres you MUST tell your insurer, or risk invalidating your cover.

[DTCwordfan]

a cheaper option that impoves safety are tyre socks - they cost 40 a set and and fold all the way down and can be kept in the spare tyre well. They only take 30 secs to put on and off.....

They aren't as performing as winter tyres, but they are a better option than normal tyres.