Winter tyres – a crucial safety aspect
In Germany, winter tyres are mandatory whenever the weather conditions call for them. The Road Traffic Act specifically states that in conditions such as black ice, slippery snow, slush, ice and frost, cars are only allowed on the roads if they are fitted with winter tyres. Anyone caught with summer tyres can expect heavy penalties in some cases (depending on the state).Tyre manufacturers actually recommend using winter tyres at temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius. These tyres have a softer rubber compound designed to ensure a much safer driving response. To find out quickly whether or not last year’s tyres will do for another season, all you need is a 1-euro coin. The minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm (in Austria as much as 4 mm). If the outer edge of the coin does not disappear completely in the tread, new tyres are needed.