The details about snow chain regulations

In winter (or on ski holidays) you will need them: snow chains. However, the regulations for snow chains differ among the countries of Europe. So what are the details?

Where and when are snow chains mandatory?

In most countries, road side signs indicate whether it is obligatory to have snow chains on your tires. The standard one is a blue sign with a picture of a tire with a snow chain around it. These panels are in use in France and Germany, among other places. They also have a special speed limit for driving with snow chains. In France, the maximum speed with snow chains is 90 km an hour, but in Germany the maximum is 50 km per hour.

Austria also uses road signs to indicate whether snow chains are required. An exception is the Arlberg Tunnel, where the use of snow chains is prohibited.

Different signs are used in Italy. If you see a sign with the text "Transito con catene", it means that you must have snow chains on your tires. The sign "Pneumatici da neve" means that it is enough to have winter tires. However, the Aosta Valley is an exception. There it is mandatory to have snow chains in the trunk of your car from October 15 to April 15.

Snow chains are not mandatory in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, but if the weather conditions demand it, the chains will be necessary.

In the Czech Republic you are allowed to drive with snow chains if the roads are covered with snow. In Belgium, this is allowed on some roads, but in the Netherlands it is prohibited to drive with snow chains. This is because the chains may damage the surface of the road.

How to attach snow chains

What do you need to consider when installing snow chains? Always make sure the chains are not too tight around the tire, since the metal parts could damage it. For this reason, some chains include parts made of plastic. Plastic parts are better for the life cycle of the tires, but could reduce the durability of the snow chains themselves.
Practice installing snow chains at least once in advance, so you will know how to do it when winter is upon you. A snow storm and weak daylight would make placing the chains much more difficult.

Autosocks

There is an alternative to snow chains: autosocks. These are a kind of covers that can be fastened around a tire. That is usually not as difficult as installing snow chains. The autosocks should give you more grip on the road, but authorities warn that socks are not a complete substitute for snow chains. This is because the autosocks are said to only give extra protection and grip on relatively flat roads.

Sources: www.todio.nl