Winter Tyre Advice

Austria:
In Austria, the law states that between 1st of November and the 15th of April, a car - that has a maximum weight 3.5 tonnes - can only drive in winter conditions (i.e. snow, ice, slush, etc) as long as winter tyres have been fitted. If an all-season tyre bears the "M + S" mark on the sidewall, these will be considered as an adequate alternative.

If you do not follow these laws, you risk a fine of around €5,000 as well as losing your vehicle to the impound lot.

There are also major ramifications to your insurance. If you are in an accident during the winter and you do not have winter tyres fitted to your car, then your policy will be deemed null & void.
You must have chains with you on mountain roads, although many locals don't.

Germany:

Recently, Germany added new rules to their Highway Code. According to the law, motorists must have winter tyres (that bear the M+S symbol) if they are driving on snow, black ice or roads covered in frost.

Switzerland:

There are no specific laws in Switzerland concerning the use of winter tyres. However, in the case of an accident, if a motorist does not have winter tyres fitted to his/her vehicle they have a far greater chance of receive the responsibility of any damage incurred from the collision.

In certain areas there is a requirement to use winter tyres. Road signs are used to indicate to a driver whether or not they are on a road that winter tyres must be fitted.

From Blackcircles website, (not definitively legal)
http://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/winter-tyres/laws-and-legislation
There is a euro map showing where there are compulsory laws.

Good info Dave.

Even in the UK, where it is not a requirement, I feel that people do not appreciate the benefits of using a winter or all season tyre. They do considerably reduce stopping distances in cold and wet weather, let alone the benefits gained with grip on slush, snow and ice.

A lot of the problems we have encountered over the last few winters could be resolved if more people fitted suitable tyres for the seasons. I think it is hilarious to watch a big 4x4 slide off the road on it's lovely ultra low profile boots :)

I had to go for new tyres last November, and was offered winter tyres at the same price as normals. I drive a Land Rover, so it is a four wheel drive, with adjustments for hill,snow, mud etc. In last winters snow, the winter tyres still made a significant difference, so I was glad I chose them. Wish I had charged for all the tow-outs last year.

I did have a plan to buy an extra set of summer tyres, so as to make the winter tyres last, but that didn't happen, and winter is upon us........

I'll be running both the Seat MPV and the Merc on winter tyres come mid November. I did this with the Seat last winter and the difference was immeasurable: suffice to say I didn't have 1 passenger miss a flight, even on 17th December when I passed itro 250 abandoned cars en route to lhr

Far Queue wrote: I think it is hilarious to watch a big 4x4 slide off the road on it's lovely ultra low profile boots

You don't need to fit low profile tyres to get these things to slide, the all season M+S tyres normally fitted as standard will usually get the job done.
http://www.apa.ca/tire_wintertireratings.asp (see videos at bottom)

Trencher wrote:

Very interesting indeed!