Many U.K. readers of tyrepress.com will have woken up this morning to temperatures approaching freezing point. The sudden need to root out the ice scraper and turn the blowers up high did not go un-noted.
With temperatures to continue in this vein throughout the week, will U.K. drivers’ thoughts extend beyond the purchase of a new can of demister and head toward the tires, just as last year’s cold weather brought on a rush to fit more suitable rubber for the conditions?
Admittedly, conditions are not even close to the spectacular snowdrifts seen last winter just yet, but as we all know by now, cold-weather tires are designed to handle lower temperatures – such as the 1C seen on T&A’s dashboard – much better than their summer counterparts. Winter tires yield shorter braking distances and better handling at the oft-quoted figure of 7C (45F), whether there is snow on the road or not. The subsequent outcry criticizing local councils’ inability to predict the colder temperatures in 2009’s winter could equally be applied to drivers in 2010, should the current cold climate develop into a similarly cold winter, as is predicted. While last year the weather’s severity was unexpected after a decade-plus of mild winters; this year, no one can argue they haven’t been warned.
The Fleet Voice Column published on FleetDirectory.co.uk suggests those in charge of company cars ought to consider the benefits of winter-specific tires, predicting potential EU legislation’s effect on fleet managers: “Storing the wheels and tires might be more of a problem than switching them, but fleet managers interested in cutting accident rates and insurance claims will find storage the least of their worries,” writes Alisdair Suttie. One solution to the storage problem is being suggested by major chains ATS Euromaster and Kwik-Fit, both of whom are offering storage space for off-season tires when winter tires are fitted this autumn.
Additionally, he quotes Pirelli UK’s managing director Dominic Sandivasci at length, comparing both the relative performance of winter tires and the size of the markets in the U.K. and similar countries like the Netherlands and Germany: “At temperatures below 7C, braking distances of cold weather tires are 10% less than summer tires. Similarly, braking distances in icy conditions are reduced by as much as 20% with winter tires.
“In 2009, cold weather tire sales in the U.K. accounted for less than 1% of the total U.K. tire market. When you compare this to Holland or Germany, which have cold weather tire sales accounting for around 10% and 50%, respectively in 2009, it is clear that not enough is being done to enforce the essential safety benefits of cold weather tires in the U.K.”
Legislation in Germany to make a “concrete winter tire obligation” is underway, according to national transport minister Peter Ramsauer, perhaps indicating a potential trend in European markets’ attitudes to winter specialist tires. But will this carry over to the U.K., which has both a milder climate and a milder interest in the suitability of its tires, especially when it comes to fitting a winter product, evinced by the relative thinness of the winter tire market?
Continental is using the current Tire Safety Month campaign as a cue to talk about the safety benefits of winter tires: their survey conducted in January showed that icy roads had affected the driving of 45% of those questioned, and that as many as one in 10 had been involved in a collision as a result of the cold weather. Continental brand manager Tracey Hyem noted the way cold weather had brought many businesses in the U.K. to a standstill, while other European countries proceeded as normal. “Those countries have a history of fitting the right tires for the right season. Winter tires are available to purchase in the U.K. from all good retailers. Our advice to drivers is to think about winter tires early now. There’s no point in being stuck on your driveway when the snow starts falling.” (Tyres & Accessories)
