Third season of Mountain Law II. This text, voted in 2020 with a first application in 2021, introduced in France the’obligation to use winter or four-season tires, or to have’Removable equipment, such as chains or socks, for all vehicles that circulate in certain departments from November 1 to March 31.
• Mandatory, but still without sanctions
A difference with our neighbors in Germany or Luxembourg, which also require that this winter material be available, but without fixed dates: c’It is so that motorists’adapt as soon as temperatures drop and the risk of snow and ice increases.
In France, the text provides for a fine of 135 euros in case of non-compliance’equipment, but a week before the start of this winter season, there is still no decree’request, which suggests a new year of “tolerance.”
Yes’However, the equipment is still recommended for avoid an accident. Road safety mentions in particular the’idea of “improving user safety by reducing the specific risks associated with driving on snowy or icy roads.” and D.’thus avoiding an unfortunately common scene: the traffic jams that form in the’approach the stations with, in the’origin, motorists are not well equipped to drive in the snow.
Another important risk: in case of’accident in an affected area without being equipped, Your insurer may refuse to compensate you.. l’obligations’It applies in fact, even without actual verbalization.
• Recommended change from 7°C
If the current still mild temperatures call into question this choice of’a season with fixed dates in France, you must also take into account that’can be important’equip as soon as the cold weather arrives, without necessarily waiting for’Appearance of snow or ice. Recommended use from 7°CFor example, allopneus.com points out in a press release:
“This technical equipment, specifically designed to withstand temperatures below 7°C, allows you to optimize grip, traction, road holding and braking in all circumstances. Remember, winter tires are not reserved exclusively for snow, but they allow you to drive in total safety, regardless of the weather conditions in winter: dry but cold ground, wet, frozen or snowy ground.
If you hesitate between 4-season tires and winter tiresallopneus.com recommends the first for “areas with little snow and temperatures below 7°C”, along with the’advantage of being able to keep them all the time’year.
Winter tires “perfectly adapted to the conditions ‘snow’ It will be more suitable for people who usually live or drive in mountainous areas.
• For what budget?
“The price of a winter or 4-season tire for a sedan ranges between 60 and 85 euros and for an SUV between 90 and 120 euros on average,” says allopneus, that is, a budget of between 240 and 480 euros in total. , taking into account that’It is recommended to change all four tires. In the case of removable anti-slip devices, it must be possible to attach them to at least two driving wheels.
• Who cares?
On paper, 48 departments (see map below) are affected by this obligation, which is’It applies to light and utility vehicles, motorhomes, heavy duty vehicles and coaches.
But, in fact, the’last year, some interested departments… no’finally they were not, as’Yonne or Meurthe-et-Moselle. against’In fact, it is up to the prefectures to draw up the list of municipalities where this winter equipment is mandatory, sometimes without any. In total, the measure’It was therefore applied in 34 departments, of which 7 covered all municipalities (Cantal, Haute-Loire, Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Hautes-Alpes, Lozère and Puy-de-Dôme), as can be seen on the map below. who takes the last
In each department, the prefects prepare the list of interested municipalities, which can be found in the following search engine.
The signage below lets you know when you enter and exit.’a mountain area with mandatory equipment.
Tires must be marked 3PMSF (for “3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake,” with simply a symbol of three mountain peaks and a snowflake). Those with only the M+S endorsement are still tolerated this year, but will no longer be eligible from November 1, 2024.
Source: BFM TV
