DRIVE SAFELY: fit the correct winter equipment to deal with cold conditions
The A22 recommends that you fit the correct winter equipment in order to ensure that your vehicle has maximum traction and stability and is able to operate safety. The cold, rain, snow, ice, frost and low temperatures have already adversely affected the performance of your summer tyres. To make sure that you can continue to steer your vehicle safely, now is the time to fit winter tyres. “Snow tyres” refer to a tyre with an asymmetrical tread which was only fitted in order to combat extremely heavy snowfall (achieving the same effect as snow chains). This term is already obsolete and has nowadays been replaced by the designation
“winter tyres” or “thermic tyres”. This is an absolutely
vital piece of equipment to make sure that you can continue to drive safely in cold conditions. The idea behind the planning, developemnt and production of such tyres is that they deliver a full level of performance
when the temperature falls to below +7°C (a temperature often directly stated by the manufacturers). This means that the advantages provided by winter tyres are not restricted to snow covered or icy conditions. They are
also of benefit when road conditions are dry or wet.
A responsible driver who sets store by maximum safety should always make sure that a car’s tyres are changed around the end of October and should continue to use winter tyres for the next 6 months.
Adopting such an approach means that there is plenty of time to select the most appropriate tyres and avoids the possibility of having to opt for the next best choice when an emergency occurs and it has already started snowing. There is also no need to join the lengthy queue at the tyre dealer’s! It is important to point out that winter tyres must always be fitted to all four wheels. Fitting winter tyres to two wheels only severely restricts the safe manoeuvrability of the vehicle.
Alongside carrying out the necessary vehicle checks including tyres,
the following recommendations will also ensure a pleasant and safe journey.
- Consult traffic forecasts and avoid travelling between 10 am and 5 pm on days when heavy traffic conditions are predicted.
- Visit tele text page 648 of the Italian state television broadcaster RAI and page 425 of the regional television service (Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna) to find out the information you need and tune your radio to the frequencies stated in the vertical markings (Radio Pico, Radio NBC).
- Pay attention to the messages on the illuminated signs (placed at the entry to toll booths) and to the variable message displays along the carriageway.
- Observe the speed limits and maintain a safe distance.
- Do not wait until you are overcome by tiredness before stopping for a break at the service stations.