Not without winter tires: Taufkirchen traffic patrol service gives tips for snow and ice

Created: 01/19/2022, 16:00

Heiner Holbl on the poster stand at the busy B15 exit in the direction of Dorfen.

© Birgit Lang

With a poster campaign, the traffic police in Taufkirchen is giving tips for safe driving in snow and ice.

Taufkirchen

- "Wet, snow and ice can reduce traction," says Heiner Holbl.

Therefore, the secretary of the Taufkirchen local traffic police asks all drivers to pay attention to the "winter profile(l)" of the tires.

At all four town entrances, he and members of the local association put up appropriate posters, which the Bavarian state traffic police made available for the current country road campaign.

"In order to obtain optimal driving characteristics and increase driving safety, the rubber compound of the tires must meet different criteria in winter than in the summer months," explains the Taufkirchener, who is a test driver by profession.

That's why in wintry conditions you can only drive tires with the snowflake symbol or M+S symbol.

Sufficient tread depth is just as important.

"In wet and snowy conditions, a rubber layer that is too thin reduces propulsion and increases the braking distance," says the expert.

That's why he recommends at least four millimeters, even if the legal limit is 1.6 millimeters.

And another tip: "If you put the tires with the strongest profile on the rear axle, you increase directional stability."

Do not drive too fast and increase the distance to vehicles in front when there is ice, these are further tips for wintry road conditions.

In addition, you should avoid abrupt steering movements, heavy braking or accelerating too hard, because the vehicle could get out of control, says the test driver.

"Drivers should drive with foresight and concentration and remain calm at all times."