winter tires new law
winter tires new law
Did I interpret it correctly that until it starts snowing in Uusimaa region (where I live), I am not legally obliged to change winter tires despite what month on calendar?
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Re: winter tires new law
Yes and no, there's no set date when winter tires must be used, it depends on the road conditions, which may be unsuitable for summer tires even without snow. Unless you want to keep changing tires back and forth or using the car is optional, I'd suggest switching to winter tires when the temperature starts regularly dropping below zero during the night (meaning the road can be slippery in the mornings).
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Re: winter tires new law
Beware that the amount of profile of summer tires must be deeper than minimal in summer and sufficient for "winter" driving, they depend on the road conditions, copy from yle news:FinnGuyHelsinki wrote: ↑Tue Nov 02, 2021 7:12 amYes and no, there's no set date when winter tires must be used, it depends on the road conditions, which may be unsuitable for summer tires even without snow. Unless you want to keep changing tires back and forth or using the car is optional, I'd suggest switching to winter tires when the temperature starts regularly dropping below zero during the night (meaning the road can be slippery in the mornings).
source:The agency added that the main tread on all car and van tires must be at least three millimeters thick, rising to five millimeters for particularly difficult driving conditions, such as slushy or snowy roads.
2021: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finl ... n/12168815
2020: https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/wint ... w/11625311
Re: winter tires new law
It is more a matter of safety and not just of legal obligations. As soon as there is frost on the ground, I change to winter tires. Driving with summer tires when there is black ice on the road can be quite dangerous.
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Re: winter tires new law
Black ice means the road conditions require winter tires (with the 3MSF symbol?).
This means whenever it is subzero and there is still water on the road (mostly after snow has been melting) you are required to have winter tires.
However if it has been real cold but there is dry air and dry and ice/snow free road, no need for winter tires.
For this reason I have one car on summer tires and one car on Nastarengat , no need to change the tires all the time
Re: winter tires new law
btw, who has authority to check if the tires are good enough for road condition? police or parking warden?
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Re: winter tires new law
Only the police (and others with the required authority, e.g. customs, border guards), the official prosecutor and the court can issue fines ("sakko"), parking attendants may issue only parking tickets ("pysäköintivirhemaksu"). In a car inspection the car may be banned from use in traffic ("ajokielto") due to tires being in poor conditiion.
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Re: winter tires new law
I would be more worried about the consequences if you are involved in an accident while driving a vehicle with unsuitable tyres.FinnGuyHelsinki wrote: ↑Thu Nov 18, 2021 6:54 amOnly the police (and others with the required authority, e.g. customs, border guards), the official prosecutor and the court can issue fines ("sakko"), parking attendants may issue only parking tickets ("pysäköintivirhemaksu"). In a car inspection the car may be banned from use in traffic ("ajokielto") due to tires being in poor conditiion.
Re: winter tires new law
Yes, if the police attend for any kind of incident then they will make of note on the report of the kind of tires on your car (regardless of whether they suspect the type of tires contributed to the incident).FinlandGirl wrote: ↑Thu Nov 18, 2021 3:44 pmI would be more worried about the consequences if you are involved in an accident while driving a vehicle with unsuitable tyres.
In Germany (which has similar tire laws to what Finland now has) the insurance companies will not pay out if you have an accident in winter conditions and have summer tires on the car.
Re: winter tires new law
You can check the profile of the tires at snapskan.fi, it is free. Have not used it, just saw their leaflet somewhere.