Latvia’s Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) is advising drivers not to rush to switch from winter tires to summer tires despite the legal allowance to do so since March 2nd, citing ongoing winter weather conditions.
Vehicle Inspections and Tire Compliance
During the recent winter season, the CSDD, in collaboration with the State Police, inspected 8,216 vehicles for technical condition and winter tire compliance. A total of 195 vehicles failed inspection and will require re-inspection after deficiencies are addressed. Fifty-four vehicles were found with dangerously worn tires, resulting in license plate removal and requiring towing.
Seventeen vehicles were identified as already using summer tires. Alarmingly, 627 vehicles, or 8% of those inspected, had tires with tread depths below the legal minimum for winter conditions.
Drivers with vehicles weighing up to 3500 kg receive a warning for insufficient tread depth, which must be at least 4 mm during the winter season. The minimum tread depth requirement for summer tires on vehicles up to 3500 kg is 1.6 mm.
The CSDD recommends waiting until spring has fully arrived in Latvia or the relevant region before changing to summer tires. Summer tires are most effective on dry and wet roads when the air temperature is consistently above +5 to +7 degrees Celsius.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
