Feb 2012: Continental Releases Latest European Winter Tyre Legislation
Winters across Europe vary in intensity. As a result, the legislation pertaining to winter driving and use of winter tyres is different in different countries.
Continental tyres has released their updated winter tyre guide that offers country by country winter tyre legislation. This is intended as a guide for truck drivers and coach operators to highlight the different tyre requirements they need to adhere to while driving across Europe this winter.
The Need for the Winter Tyre Guide – To Prevent Loss of Business
The local legislation with respect to the winter tyre requirements vary greatly from country to country across Western Europe.
Coach operators who drive through Europe in winter need to ensure that their tyres are adhering to the rules for winter driving in the country through which they are driving.
Non-adherence is likely to attract significant financial penalties. In some cases, they may even be prevented from travelling through certain places. This obviously greatly impacts business and results in financial losses.
The Need for the Winter Tyre Guide – Safety First
More importantly, not following the rules compromises safety. The legislation is in place to ensure maximum safety during winter driving. It is best to be informed about the local winter tyre legislation and adhere to it, so that there are no increased chances of accidents.
The Contents of the Continental Winter Tyre Guide
In its updated winter guide, besides listing the winter tyre legislation and requirements in different countries, Continental has mentioned the associated penalties for not adhering to a particular regulation.
It also offers advice on the best manner of fitting winter tyres so that winter driving is safe and comfortable.
For instance, Continental recommends that for coaches travelling to the Alps, the Scandinavian countries or the Baltic regions, where winters are extremely severe, it is compulsory to equip all axles with specifically developed winter tyre.
Further, the winter guide recommends the use of snow chain when required on at least one drive axle while driving in these areas in winter.
Another recommendation from the Continental winter guide is that a minimum tread depth of 4mm should be maintained across all axle positions to ensure safe driving on snow.
A tip that the winter guide offers is that if winter tyres are not fitted all around, the drive axle should get first priority, followed by the steer axle and then the other axle positions.
Thus the Continental Winter Tyres Guide is not merely rule book, but a one-stop-shop that offers comprehensive winter tyre advice and recommendations.
“Our Winter Tyre Range Is Equipped to Meet all Legislation”, says Continental
Continental has a dedicated range of winter tyres that has been updated recently. According to Tracey Hyem, Commercial Marketing Manger, Continental, the company’s wide range of winter tyres meets the most stringent legislative requirements with respect to winter tyres and can be used legally within each country.
Ms, Hyem added that Continental winter tyres provide 20% more traction than standard tyres. This 20% is a significant figure because it greatly enhances safety on snow and/or ice covered roads. “Besides improved traction results in greater fuel efficiency”, Ms Hyem signs off.
The updated Winter Tyre Guide is available for free download at www.conti-online.co.uk/truck