Correct Driving During the Winter Period

This article will explore all what you know for driving legally and safely during the cold period of winter.

You will read about correct tiring and when your car insurance will not cover the costs for any damages to others due to your driving in the winter.

Whoever wants to be safely on the way in snow, ice and mud, should already be thinking of changing tires; as winter tires are recommended and not only for safety reasons. Motorists, who drive with summer tires on public streets in the winter, risk not only their life but also a hefty fine; and with an accident, this can even cost you your insurance coverage – gross negligence causing the accident.

Winter tires – Duty or not?

This regulation admittedly does not constitute any general duty to mount winter tires. Whoever is on the way on an icy roadway with summer tires, for example, must reckon with an cautionary fine of € 20. If a traffic hindrance occurs because of the insufficient tires, consider a fine of € 40 together with a point in Flensburg.

Winter and all-year-tires that are either marked with “M+S” or a snowflake and have a minimum-profile-depth of 1.6 mm are suitable for the cold season. Traffic experts recommend a minimum profile of at least 4 mm, because the grip to the road will only so be sufficiently guaranteed. The car must have at least four winter tires mounted; a mixture with summer tires is not sufficient, just as are snow chains on summer tires. The difference between summer and winter tires lies in the rubber of the tires. Winter tires are produced from a thermo-elastic rubber mixture so that they remain sufficiently soft with icy cold temperatures and the characteristically jagged tread provides good road contact and braking.

Impacts on Insurance Coverage

A trip without a vehicle equipped with winterproofing, can void your car insurance coverage. As decided by Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt a.M.: driving with summer tires in the mountains constitutes a grossly negligent behavior. Your car always has to be completely freed from snow and ice before the trip. In the winter besides the usual emergency equipment, like warning triangle, first aid kit, and warn vest, also a starter cable should be carried along as well as a warm wool blanket and a snow shovel.

Hint:

Not only winter tires belong to appropriate equipment of a vehicle but also sufficient antifreeze in the windshield wash and an ice scraper. Driving with a frosted windshield is also subject to a fine.