Experts urge drivers to fit winter tyres before December rush

Drivers should not wait until December to switch to winter tyres, experts told Latvian public broadcaster LSM, and should time the change according to weather conditions. Winter tyres are compulsory in Latvia from December 1 to March 1.

A recent survey found that about one-third of drivers try to change their tyres in October and roughly the same share in November. However, queues at repair shops still form each year on November 30 and December 1, when winter tyres become mandatory.

Jānis Vanks, head of the Safe Driving School, said drivers should consider switching when the average air temperature over 24 hours is no higher than 10 degrees Celsius. He compared the timing to when central heating is switched on.

CSDD representative Mārtiņš Mālmeisters also urged drivers to plan the change in advance. Vanks said fitting winter tyres early would not cause them to wear out so quickly that drivers would lose an extra safe season of use.

Winter tyres perform best on snow and ice, so drivers should adjust their usual driving style. Vanks advised motorists to get used to how the car handles and brakes during their first kilometres on winter tyres, particularly on wet roads, where stopping distances can be longer. He also said European-style winter tyres are better suited to city driving.