CSDD explains that during the specified winter period, from December 1 to March 1, light vehicles equipped with winter tires specially designed for use in snow and ice conditions and marked with the designation “mountain and snowflake” are allowed to participate in road traffic.
The new requirement applies to vehicles whose gross weight does not exceed 3.5 tons, or light vehicles.
The requirement was introduced to improve traffic safety and reduce the number of road traffic accidents. The international designation “mountain and snowflake” indicates that the tire has passed certain tests and is recognized as suitable for driving in snow, ice and icing conditions.
Drivers should note that tires with only the “M+S” designation, without the new “mountain and snowflake” markings, will not be considered winter-appropriate. The use of such tires will not be allowed during the winter period.
Currently, tire sales outlets in Latvia offer these tires suitable for the climate of the Nordic countries with the designation “mountain and snowflake”. During tire tests on the road last winter, the CSDD found that only 0.3% of vehicles were equipped with non-compliant tires without the “mountain and snowflake” designation.
Tires marked only with the designation “M+S”, “M&S” or “MS” will continue to be allowed to be used outside the winter season – from March 2 to November 30.
The minimum tread depth for winter tires is 4 millimeters (mm). It is also recommended not to use winter tires that are older than five or six years, as tire rubber loses its properties over time, and it should also be taken into account that one vehicle should not be equipped with studded and non-studded tires at the same time. Vehicles with studded tires are allowed to participate in road traffic in the period from October 1 to May 1.
LETA already announced that last November the government supported the changes proposed by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) in the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers (MK) regarding the state technical inspection of vehicles and technical control on the road, which stipulates that from December 1, 2024, during the winter period specified in the Road Traffic Regulations , cars with a gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tons must be equipped with tires specially designed for use in snow or ice conditions and marked with the designation “mountain and snowflake”.
2024-09-29 22:46:31