Winter tires, ‘mandatory starting November 1’

Starting November 2011, drivers will be forced by law to buy winter tires for their cars during the cold season, the Minister of Transport, Anca Boagiu, announced on Wednesday evening.

This obligation is provided in the ordinance that was presented during the meeting of the executive committee.

‘Fines from 25 000 up to 4 000 RON for driving on public roads, covered in snow, ice or glazed frost, without being equipped with winter tires’.

‘This tires’ definition includes all-season tires, which are brought in discussion so often during public debates. At the same time, the ordinance draft gives the Romanian National Company of Motorways and National Roads the possibility to recover the costs for clearing snow-covered roads, and last but not least, it ensures recovery of repair expenses’ stated the Minister of Transport, Anca Boagiu.

Anca Boagiu added that this regulation goes for all types of motor vehicles.

As for cars, it’s mandatory to have winter tires on all four wheels, and for freight cars it comes mandatory just for the drive wheels.

Translated by: Iulia Anca Toma
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University