Winter equipment (road traffic)
In road traffic, winter equipment includes the special means for the operational safety of the motor vehicle in winter driving conditions.
The legal norms for winter equipment are regulated differently from country to country and include, for example, an obligation to put on winter tires or to bring or put on snow chains or a seasonal ban on snow chains or spikes .
Winter equipment and suitability for winter
Winter equipment means in particular equipping with winter tires or spiked tires and the use of snow chains , the use of frost protection on the vehicle and other aids for driving disabilities typical in winter. They are necessary in "wintry" road conditions, in particular in snow , mud , ice or gravel on the road and in low temperatures ( frosty days ). Visibility, which is generally poor due to short daylight , fog , blowing snow, etc., must also be taken into account.
The term does not generally include the use of special winter fuel ( winter diesel ) - which is not regulated by law, but rather via the offer - and non-safety-related additional equipment such as auxiliary heating , engine preheating and interior preheating (time-controlled air conditioning ). These merely make it easier to comply with the generally required safety measures and can thus allow the start of the journey even under very unfavorable conditions, such as freezing rain and rapid black ice or frost formation on the car windows.
In addition to the winter equipment, the winter suitability of the vehicle also includes the generally required safety measures, which are particularly relevant in winter, such as (ice and snow) clear view from the vehicle interior , optimal lighting and braking system , a snow-free vehicle (to avoid the traffic behind not to be hindered by "dusting") or technical precautions such as a faultless car battery (starting process, additional heating and circulating air consumers in the circuit).
For safe driving in winter, a driving style that is adapted to the driving conditions is also required (caution, anticipatory and jolt-free driving, greater safety distances due to increased braking distance , roads narrowed by snow, but also increased wildlife ). Light during the day is recommended .
The obligation to carry snow chains and other obligations to winter equipment fall under the regulations on equipment to be carried in the vehicle in Austria , but the winter tire obligation under the term operational readiness of the vehicle.
National regulations
Germany
In Germany, there is a situational winter tire requirement (all-season tires are also allowed): According to Section 2, Paragraph 3a of the StVO , since December 4, 2010 - regardless of the season - driving on black ice, slippery snow, slush, frost or slippery ice has only been permitted which meet the properties specified in Annex II No. 2.2 ( M + S tires ) of Directive 92/23 / EEC. A marking with M + S or the snowflake symbol is not mentioned there mandatory, however, for M + S tires elsewhere in this EEC Directive demanded . Unlike in Austria and other countries, an increased minimum tread depth is not required. Excluded from the winter tire requirement are: agricultural and forestry vehicles, certain emergency vehicles, non-driven wheels of vehicles of the classes M2, M3, N2, N3 , (heavy trucks, buses). Insofar as M + S tires are not available for emergency vehicles of the Bundeswehr, Federal Police, fire brigade, disaster control and police due to their design, these vehicles are also exempt from the winter tire requirement.
Failure to comply with the requirements threatens the driver with an entry of one point in the register of fitness to drive and a fine of € 60 (€ 40 before May 1, 2014), if he has obstructed traffic, € 80.
The previous regulation introduced in spring 2006 “The equipment of motor vehicles must be adapted to the weather conditions. This includes, in particular, suitable tires and antifreeze in the windshield washer system ”, according to the decision of the Higher Regional Court of Oldenburg on July 9, 2010, violated the requirement of certainty and thus the constitution.
Snow chains are required in mountainous areas in winter road conditions, which is indicated there by traffic signs. The maximum speed with snow chains is 50 km / h.
Spikes are prohibited in Germany. There is an exception for Austrian transit traffic over the small German corner , i.e. the connection Bad Reichenhall - Lofer, and a second exception for small border traffic in a 15 km zone along the Austrian border.
In addition, drivers in Germany are obliged to switch on the low beam when it is snowing. If you drive without lights despite having a visual impairment, you risk a fine of 25 euros in town and 60 euros outside of town. It is also a criminal offense to drive off with only a small peephole scratched free on the windshield. Here 10 euros can be charged. Driving with snow on the roof is also not allowed. Here the police can demand a fine of 25 euros.
Austria
Winter tires have been required by law since 2008 ( Section 102 Paragraph 8a and Paragraph 9 KFG 1967 ):
- for vehicles under 3500 kg (classes M1 cars , station wagons and N1 trucks ) from November 1st to April 15th, "if winter conditions prevail" (especially in snow, mud and ice) on all wheels
- for vehicles over 3500 kg (classes N2 and N3 trucks and vehicles derived from them) between November 1 and April 15, at least on the wheels of one drive axle
- for buses (classes M2 and M3 and vehicles derived from them) from November 1 to March 15, at least on the wheels of one drive axle
M&S tires (mud and snow tires) or M & S & E tires (snow, mud and ice tires) as well as studded tires, all-season tires or all-weather tires are only considered winter tires in Austria if they are also expressly identified as M&S ( see car tires: regulations, Austria ).
The winter tire requirement for vehicles under 3500 kg is "linked to the actual road conditions". It is assumed that "with regard to general life experience [...] a driver is able to assess whether and when there are winter road conditions that require a corresponding obligation to equip with winter tires." Winter road conditions are not only present when “If the road has a continuous layer of snow”, but also not if it “is only wet due to the precipitation”, but if only wet, but no snow, slush or ice due to winter maintenance measures (such as salt spreading) entry.
The regulation only applies to commissioning (i.e. from the time the vehicle is ready to drive), not for parked vehicles. However, it also includes vehicles with all-wheel drive , "since the better traction of all-wheel drive only has an effect on propulsion but not on braking, " and does not provide for any exceptions for driver assistance systems either. The custom with regard to the spare wheel stipulates that if "this [...] is used in particular for the journey to the next possible repair shop", no winter tires should be requested. Excluded from the winter equipment requirement are in principle moped cars (microcars), mopeds , mopeds and motorcycles as well as all non- motor vehicles ( bicycles , wagons ) - weather-appropriate behavior in road traffic is of course required.
Summer tires with snow chains on the drive wheels or, in general, snow chains - as a replacement measure for winter tires - may only be used if the road is covered with a continuous or not significantly interrupted layer of snow or ice so that the road is not damaged by the chains. In addition, heavy vehicles are obliged to take snow chains with them from November 1st to April 15th, and snow chains are required to be worn if the road is covered (but also the prohibition to put on if the road is not covered)
The traffic sign "Snow chains required" with or without an additional sign indicates that snow chains are mandatory. For many well-known mountain passes, chains are compulsory in snowfall or snow cover depending on the situation (e.g. in heavy snowfall) and then communicated in traffic announcements on the radio.
Spikes, on the other hand, may only be used at a limited speed ( local area : 50 km / h, outdoor area : 80 km / h, highways : 100 km / h) outside the months from June to September. Furthermore, the vehicle must be marked on the back with a special sticker.
For vehicles over 3500 kg, winter tires had been mandatory on one of the drive axles between November 15 and March 15 since 2006. The shortened mandatory period for buses is justified by the transit traffic to the south, where winter tires could be an accident triggering factor. Any winter conditions during transit through Austria are covered by the obligation to carry snow chains, which in any case applies until April 15th.
Violations of the obligation to wear winter equipment can be punished with between 35 and 5000 euros. The police also have the option of having affected vehicles parked forcibly.
ADAC and ÖAMTC provide regular information on the current status of the regulations.
France
Winter tires ( French Pneu neige , plural Pneus neige ) must only be used on routes where signs on the roadside dictate this. It can happen that such signs are put up at short notice.
On some mountain roads, snow chains are compulsory, as indicated by traffic signs. Snow chains may only be used on snow-covered roads. When using snow chains, these must be mounted on the wheels of the drive axle.
Violations of the winter tire or snow chain obligation can be punished with a fine of 135 EUR.
Italy
Violations of the ordered winter tire requirement can be punished with fines of up to 80 EUR.
For individual sections of the route, the use of winter tires can be prescribed at short notice at certain times and under appropriate weather conditions. In the Aosta Valley , winter tires are generally required from mid-October to mid-April of the following year (summer tires with snow chains can also be used instead of winter tires)
The roads are often not or only insufficiently spread.
Luxembourg
Winter tires have been mandatory in Luxembourg since October 1st, 2012 . Grand ducal legislation stipulates that winter tires must be fitted on black ice, slippery snow, slush, frost or slippery ice. Winter tires within the meaning of the law are M + S tires (mud and snow tires) or tires with a snowflake marking.
The law does not apply to all types of vehicles. Exceptions are, for example, mopeds, quads , tractors or other motor-driven machines. Driving in Luxembourg with the wrong tires in wintry conditions can be punished with a fine of up to EUR 74.
rest of Europe
Legend:
- WR / SK / SP… winter tires / snow chains / spikes
- sit./obl./erl./erf./verb. ... situational (tied to the traffic conditions) or mandatory regulation, allowed / required (prescribed) / generally prohibited
- Speed ... speed limit
- Millimeter information: WR profile depth , SP free length
- Period column can be sorted according to the duration of the mandatory rule
- Columns winter tires, snow chains sortable according to mandatory / prohibited
- Column studded tires sortable according to allowed / restricted / prohibited
The following regulations generally only apply to multi-lane vehicles . For special vehicles (eg emergency vehicles ) Separate rules may apply.
Country | Period | Winter tires | Snow chains | Studded tires | Others |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belgium |
SP ext. November 1st - March 31st |
WR / SK no reg. no regulation | only on roads covered with snow or ice. | for vehicles up to 3.5 t, buses, minibuses and coaches; on all wheels including trailer; Speed 60/90 km / h (open country / motorway); Spike sticker "60" | |
Bulgaria |
SP verb. |
SK Erl./sit. no regulation | Mandatory if the weather permits, indicated by traffic signs | forbidden | |
Denmark |
SP granted November 1st - April 15th |
SK sit. no duty; at least 1.6 mm profile depth | (b) | no rulemounted on all wheels; Speed according to the signs | |
Germany |
SP verb. |
WR / SK sit. req. on black ice, slippery snow, slush, slippery ice or frost; also for single-track vehicles. Not mandatory for trailers, but recommended. For trucks over 3.5 t and buses only required on the drive axle. Various exceptions | in mountainous areas in winter. Road conditions required (indicated by traffic signs); Speed 50 km / h | forbidden | |
Estonia |
depending on October - April) October 1st - March 1st |
WR obligatory December 1 - March 31 ( general winter tires, radial tires, at least 3 mm tread depth | only allowed on snow-covered roads | no speed, corresponding traffic signs must be observed | |
Finland |
SP granted November 1st - March 31st or the Monday after Easter Monday, whichever is later. |
WR obligatory December 1st - end of February Mandatory for vehicles ≤ 3.5 t (including vehicles registered abroad), also for braked trailers; Minimum profile depth 3 mm (max. 5 mm recommended) | can also be mounted; the driver should be careful not to damage the road surface | all wheels; no speed, corresponding traffic signs must be observed | |
France |
SP exp. Sat before November 11th - last Sun in March (and longer depending on weather conditions) |
WR / SK sit. requ. pneus neige ) | for mountain roads at short notice by signposting (additionfor mountain roads at short notice through signs, then also barriers in the event of a thaw to prevent damage; mounted on the drive axle | for vehicles up to 3.5 t and commercial Passenger transport permitted; Speed 90 km / h; Sticker «90» (only mandatory for French vehicles) | |
Greece |
SP verb. (?) |
WR / SK no control (a) | no general obligationonly allowed on snow-covered roads; Speed 50 km / h | (?) | prohibited|
Ireland |
SK / SP conn. (?) |
WR no control (a) if fitted, on all four wheels | no general obligation,forbidden | (?) | prohibited|
Italy |
required SP el. November 15 - March 15 |
WR locally prescribed for individual routes and times at short notice (alternatively snow chains) | Snow chains are compulsory (or winter tires) as required by means of signs | for vehicles up to 3.5 tons; all tires including trailer; Speed 90/120 km / h (open country / motorway); Splash protection (mud flaps) required (for Italian vehicles, recommended for foreign vehicles) | |
Croatia |
SP verb. |
WR / SK sit. (recommended beginning of November - end of April, locally mandatory) according to weather conditions, at short notice through appropriate signage; to be mounted on all four tires; at least 4 mm | at short notice through corresponding signage; to be mounted on the drive wheels regardless of the type of tire; only on roads covered with snow and ice | forbidden | commercial vehicles must carry a small snow shovel |
Latvia |
depending on October - April) October 1st - March 1st |
WR obligatory December 1 - March 31 ( for motor vehicles. <3.5 t; Winter tires with at least 3 mm | only on snow-covered roads. | no speed, corresponding traffic signs must be observed | |
Lithuania | WR obl./SP exp. November 1st - April 1st | general winter tire requirement | only on snow-covered roads. | no speed, corresponding traffic signs must be observed | |
Luxembourg | SP granted December 1st - March 31st (otherwise with snow and frost and tendency to the same weather conditions) | Winter tires are compulsory from October 1, 2012 in winter road conditions (snow and / or black ice); Mixed tires prohibited | at any time on snow- or ice-covered roads. | for motor vehicles. up to 3.5 t with and without trailers, buses and coaches, special vehicles permitted; on all four wheels, with twin tires one studded tire per pair of tires is sufficient; Speed 60/90 km / h (open country / motorway); Sticker «60» | |
Montenegro | WR / SK no rule | no general obligation | (b) | no general rulenot used | |
Netherlands |
SK / SP verb. |
WR no Rgl. no general obligation | forbidden | forbidden | |
Norway |
SK> 3.5 t Obligatory transport, usage sit. SP granted November 1st - 1st Sunday after Easter (October 15th - April 1st in the north) |
WR none Rgl. (c) | no general obligationObligatory snow chains for vehicles. > 3.5 t, if it is to be expected that you will have to drive on snowy or icy roads (border controls) | limited number of spikes per wheel (90–150); no special speed; locally chargeable stickers | |
Austria |
SP permitted. October 1st - May 31st |
WR / SK sit./>3.5 t obl. November 1 - April 15 (buses WR until March 15) Vehicle ≤3.5 t in winter driving conditions,> 3.5 t obligatory regardless of road conditions; ≤ 3.5 t on all four wheels at least 4 mm,> 3.5 t on at least one drive axle at least 6 mm diagonal or 5 mm radial tires, with M + S symbols. (alternatively SK on drive wheels, if allowed) | for motor vehicles. ≤3.5 t: as an alternative, if no winter tires are used, only permitted on snow- or ice-covered roads, motor vehicles. > 3.5 t: Obligation to carry (at least two drive wheels) and use of snow / ice track, otherwise verb. | for vehicles up to 3.5 t, trailers with max. 1.8 t axle load allowed; on all wheels including trailer, steel belted tires only, spikes less than 2 mm; Speed 80/100 km / h (open country / motorway); Spike sticker «¤» | |
Poland |
SP verb. |
WR / SK none Rgl. no general obligation | only on snow-covered roads. | forbidden | |
Portugal |
SP verb. |
WR / SK none Rgl. no general obligation | only allowed on snow-covered roads; no speed | forbidden | |
Romania |
SP verb. |
WR / SK sit. req. Obligatory in winter road conditions | only on snow-covered roads. | forbidden | |
Sweden |
> 3.5 t on the driven axles SP permitted. October 1st - April 15th (extension possible) |
WR sit. December 1 - March 31 Vehicles
> 3.5 t min. 5 mm profile |
Vehicles ≤3.5 t and trailers; at least 3 mm; ext. for all vehicles, if the road and weather conditions require it | on all four wheels; no speed; no marking. Limited number of spikes (maximum 50 per meter of rolling circumference). | |
Switzerland |
SP el. November 1st - April 30th (extension possible) |
WR no rule no general winter tire requirement | all-wheel drive vehicles ( except for additional 4 × 4 sign ) | Obligatory if road signs snow chains are mandatory ; At least two wheels on the drive axle, exceptions forall bikes including trailer; Max. 1.5mm; Speed 80 km / h, driving ban on motorways and motorways; Glue «80» | |
Serbia |
SP verb. |
WR / SK obl. November 1st - April 1st in winter conditions either WR or four radial tires and SK; at least 4 mm profile depth | in winter conditions either WR or four radial tires and SK; In some places, signs may stipulate snow chains | forbidden | Buses and trucks have to carry a shovel |
Slovakia |
SP verb. |
WR sit./> 3.5 t obl. November 15 - March 31 Vehicles ≤3.5 t in winter conditions winter or all-season tires; > 3.5 t, regardless of weather conditions, WR mandatory | Only allowed on snow-covered roads and must not damage the road | forbidden | |
Slovenia |
SP verb. |
WR / SK obl. November 15 - March 15, sit. also other times winter tires compulsory in winter conditions (or SK), vehicle> 3.5 t on drive axle; at least 3 mm | in winter conditions, instead of winter tires, use snow chains on summer tires (at least 3 mm); Vehicles> 3.5 t on all wheels; Obligation to take with you (foreign vehicles only in winter road conditions) | forbidden | |
Spain |
SP allowed. (?) |
WR / SK no rule no general obligation | only on snow-covered roads. | (?) | Studded tires with studs up to 2 mm long may be used on snow-covered roads.|
Czech Republic |
SP verb. |
WR / SK mandatory if signposted November 1st - April 30th No general obligation, WR or SK required, if signposted ("Cars with snowflakes"), vehicles ≤3.5 t: at least 4 mm, vehicles> 3.5 t: at least 6 mm | if signposted ("car with snowflake") WR or SK required, vehicles over 3.5 t there WR and SK required, only permitted on snow-covered roads; Speed 50 km / h | forbidden | |
Turkey |
SP verb. |
WR / SK sit. no general obligation | Snow chains are compulsory in case of snowfall, only permitted on snow-covered roads. | forbidden | Also carry a brake wedge in case of snowfall |
Hungary |
SP verb. |
WR / SK sit. no general obligation, can be requested at short notice if the conditions are appropriate | Carrying or use can be arranged in winter conditions; Speed 50 km / h | forbidden | |
United Kingdom |
SP ext. |
WR / SK no reg. no general obligation | only allowed on snow-covered roads; must not damage the road | (a) Speed no regulation, corresponding traffic signs must be observed; Road damage can be tracked | in principle allowed;
- Sources: ÖAMTC , as of October 2010; ARBÖ (spike regulations); AvD (traffic rules abroad)
- (?) uncertain: ÖAMTC says "prohibited", it is also called "permitted" (ARBÖ, AvD)
- (a) hardly necessary due to the mild climatic conditions
- (b) may be necessary in some cases due to the weather conditions
- (c) strongly recommended due to the climatic conditions
- ↑ a b Exception: route across the small German corner (connection Bad Reichenhall - Lofer, Austrian transit traffic) and 15 km zone along the Austrian border ( small border traffic )
- ↑ in the Aosta Valley October 15 - April 15, winter tires are compulsory
- ↑ in the areas of Lika and Gorski Kotar November - April compulsory
- ↑ for the northern provinces of Nordland and Troms og Finnmark
- ↑ Annual, monthly or daily stickers in Oslo and Trondheim , air pollution control
- ↑ In non-winter conditions, following instructions from the police, driving with 5 mm summer tires is permitted.
- ↑ "A vehicle with studded tires registered abroad may drive in Switzerland during the period for which its country of origin permits the use of these tires, even if this period is longer than the one valid in Switzerland." (Quoted literally ÖAMTC)
- ↑ The term "winter tires" is not legally defined in Switzerland, "their use is recommended when the road conditions are appropriate, as fines can be imposed in the event of traffic obstruction due to driving on snow-covered roads with unsuitable tires. In the event of an accident with summer tires on winter roads, considerable joint liability is possible. ”(Quoted literally ÖAMTC)
- ↑ Exceptions: San Bernardino tunnel (A 13) between Thusis and Mesocco, St. Gotthard tunnel (A 2) between Airolo and Göschenen
- ↑ a b c Main traffic routes with general winter equipment compulsory : D1 Prague – Brno km 21–182, various first rate roads (see PDF of the ÖAMTC)
Individual evidence
- ↑ BMVI - Catalog of fines. (No longer available online.) In: www.bmvi.de. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015 ; accessed on November 23, 2015 .
- ↑ Ordinance amending the Road Traffic Act and the Ordinance on the Catalog of Fines of December 1, 2010 ( Federal Law Gazette I p. 1737 )
- ↑ DIRECTIVE 92/23 / EEC (PDF)
- ↑ burhoff.de Detlef Burhoff: Issues relating to fines relating to the “winter tire obligation ” according to Section 2 Paragraph 3a StVO , ZAP 05/2011, 847
- ↑ Publication of the Federal Motor Transport Authority | Federal Motor Transport Authority ( Memento from March 4, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF)
- ↑ OLG Oldenburg, decision of July 9, 2010
- ↑ Driving a car in winter - catalog of fines 2018 . bussgeldkatalog.org. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
- ↑ bmvit (ed.): Decree on mandatory winter tires; 29th amendment to the KFG . (Subject). GZ. BMVIT-179.702 / 0005-II / ST4 / 2007. Vienna December 20, 2007 ( bmvit.gv.at [accessed October 22, 2010]).
- ↑ a b Obligation to wear winter equipment - what applies? (No longer available online.) In: oeamtc.at> Recht> Verkehr & Strafen. ÖAMTC , archived from the original on February 15, 2009 ; Retrieved October 22, 2010 .
- ↑ a b bmvit (ed.): Decree on mandatory winter tires . 2007, 3. Scope 3.2. for cars, nuclear power plants and trucks with a maximum permissible total weight of no more than 3,500 kg , p. 3–4 (especially 3.2.1.).
- ↑ a b c d bmvit (Ed.): Decree on mandatory winter tires . 2007, 3. Scope 3.1. for heavy vehicles , p. 3 .
- ↑ a b c d e . Esp. Zit bmvit (ed.): Adopting Winterreifenpflicht . 2007, 2. The following results from the explanations , p. 2 f .
- ↑ see for example VwGH September 21, 1983, 83/03 (0008)
- ↑ bmvit (ed.): Decree on mandatory winter tires . 2007, 4.4 Spare wheel , p. 4th f .
- ↑ a b bmvit (Hrsg.): Compulsory winter tires and obligation to carry snow chains for heavy vehicles; Procedure for the recurring assessment . (Subject). GZ. BMVIT-179.503 / 0027-II / ST4 / 2006. Vienna November 3, 2006 ( bmvit.gv.at [accessed October 22, 2010]).
- ↑ Road traffic regulations, §52, paragraph a, line 22
- ↑ Studded tires. In: HELP.gv.at »Leisure and Mobility» Kfz. Federal Chancellery, January 1, 2010, accessed on October 22, 2010 .
- ↑ KFG: old status from November 15, 2006
- ↑ bmvit (ed.): Decree on mandatory winter tires . 2007, 4th procedure in the event of violations , p. 4th f .
- ↑ Travel rules in the Alpine countries . adac.de
- ↑ Compulsory winter tires in France on the website enteiser.info
- ↑ Travel rule . adac.de
- ↑ Compulsory winter tires in Luxembourg on the website tirendo.de
- ↑ Compulsory winter tires in Luxembourg on the website tirendo.de
- ↑ Winter tires (Danish) FDM (Danish Automobile Club), October 2015.
- ↑ Press release 187-2010. ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. bundesrat.de
- ↑ Rainer Heß, Michael Burmann: Legal consequences of violation of the winter tire obligation . In: NJW -Spezial, 1/2011, 9
- ^ Romania: New winter tire requirement comes into force. In: www.dvr.de. Retrieved January 8, 2016 .
- ↑ OG 5 2011 Legea cauciucurilor / anvelopelor de iarna | Textul integral al legilor. In: legeaz.net. Retrieved January 8, 2016 .
- ^ Romania - European Commission. In: ec.europa.eu. Retrieved January 8, 2016 .
- ↑ Swedish rules for studded tires, from: Transportstyrelsen (Swedish)
- ↑ Winter equipment in Europe. (PDF; 220 kB) (No longer available online.) Publisher = ÖAMTC, November 15, 2010, formerly in the original ; accessed on October 6, 2015 . ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Winter tire ordinance, snow chains and spike tires in Europe. rezulteo-reifen.at, accessed on November 7, 2013 .
- ↑ Special traffic regulations abroad. AvD, accessed December 8, 2010 .