Experts said whether the ban on studded tires in Ukraine.
As expected, the proposals of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on obligatory replacement tyre is spelled out in the bill No. 4683 is not so simple. Especially with the ban of studded tires. Furthermore, some authoritative experts see in them (the offers) a threat to safety on our roads.
already talked about bill No. 4683 “On amendments to some legislative acts of Ukraine in the field of road transport with the aim of bringing them in compliance with acts of the European Union, which the Cabinet submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. In addition to the many controversial moments that dealt with the return of vehicle inspection and conversion of vehicles, the issues caused a section of the bill on the tires.
To clarify the situation, I received comments on controversial issues from leading tire manufacturers. For objectivity – a few. Characteristically, they all said almost the same thing, but in different ways, having considered the problem in various aspects. So, take a walk, as they say, point by point.
The Cabinet proposes, citing the experience of the countries of the European Union, prohibit the use in Ukraine on the paved roads, studded tires.
As reported by the marketing Manager of the export Department of the company Continental Irina S., in EU countries the use of winter tires has been resolved. On the one hand they can be used in adverse weather conditions on uncleared roads. With the other motorists have a choice: to use studless tires or studded with limiting the number of spikes up to 50 pieces per meter rolling. And the conditions of the European Union have already adapted the tyre manufacturers who use such materials and design spikes so that they did not destroy the road surface.
According to this, Ukraine, adapting to the EU legislation, could use the already existing experience, says Mrs. S.. And choose the best option, given the state of roads, climatic, geographical and other conditions.
Commercial Director of the company “Nokian the Tyre” Paul Gizel said that in his opinion, the bill contains a number of provisions whose implementation could seriously worsen the situation of traffic safety in Ukraine. So, quite a controversial ban on the use of studded tires in the winter. What is actually going to protect this norm, the authors of the bill? The road, which is not tenable? We have, unfortunately, no highways like in Europe. In order to opt out of studded tires in the winter, you must first everywhere to ensure the high quality of asphalt and to ensure its proper maintenance. Road and utilities are ready to take on such obligations? Unlikely.
We all know that the problem of road repairs is very serious that the roads in Ukraine in winter, not clean and not sprinkled in a timely manner even in the capital. And what about those motorists who live out of town and so are forced to ride on roads of different type? Because for them, studded tires are an integral part of personal safety. Who in the case of prohibition, the spikes will be responsible for the successful outcome of their visits?
It should also be remembered that the Ukrainian winter is very changeable: in the morning, it may rain, and in the evening freezes and the road is covered with icy crust. But spike just doesn’t give the tyre slipping on ice and Packed snow. Spike makes driving in the winter is more predictable and reliable, and in some cases spikes, without exaggeration, save lives, and the driver and the pedestrian. Nokian Tyres continuously improves the system-studding their tires. Our spikes have already fit into the restrictions of some European countries that destroy the roadbed.
As reported by the head of sales of passenger tires at Goodyear Dunlop Tires Ukraine Igor Perepelkin attempts to ban studded winter tires – for Ukraine is not news. The main argument of opponents of thorns – the harmful effects on the road surface, inspired by the European experience. However, the relevance and usefulness of this initiative in Ukraine is questionable.
First, the share of studded tyres in the total mass varies from 7 to 10%, and secondly, the main user group my uses these tires to improve patency of the car in aggressive winter conditions (country, regional, and dirt roads) where it is really necessary. The negative effects from the use of studded tyres is much less than the driving safety, which they offer in the winter. Moreover, not all studded tires cause significant harm to the road surface. For example, studded tires Goodyear meet the requirements of all European countries that allow spikes. They received a “Finnish certificate” confirming that your tire wears out the road surface more than specified in the homologation tests according to the wear of the roadway.
As you can see, all the interviewed experts agree that the ban on the use of studded tires for Ukraine will bring more negative than positive, and yet is not so relevant. Adapting the European legislation need to remember about the Ukrainian reality, where the roads in winter often can see the unpeeled snow and ice. Or security issues, the Cabinet do not care?
