From today, the traffic police are imposing fines on all drivers who drive their cars with tires unsuitable for winter. From November 15 to March 1, all cars must be equipped with winter tires or tires with a tread depth of at least 4 mm.
The Road Traffic Act (RTA) allows the use of all-season or even summer tires if they meet the grip requirement, but experts strongly recommend winter tires for better safety in cold weather.
„Today we expect a large influx of people to change tires. However, this service has also become more expensive compared to previous years. The truth is that anyone can change their tires themselves, but it is important to equalize their pressure afterwards. We can tell when our tire is worn out by the depth of the tread, and this is easily measured with just a ruler and a coin,” explained service manager Todor Todorov to Nova TV.
The traditional “Winter” campaign, which aims to raise drivers’ awareness of preparing their cars for the upcoming winter season, started on November 1 and will continue until November 20. The "Traffic Police" will also check for windshield wiper fluid and working headlights.
As part of the "Winter" campaign, pedestrians are also monitored for compliance with road rules. Those who cross while looking at their phones, talking on them, or wearing headphones on a pedestrian crossing can receive a fine of 100 leva.
The third phase of checks by the "Traffic Police" is coming from November 21.
On the threshold of the winter season, we find Julian at the car service.
"With winter tires I brake faster, the car is safer and more stable in turns. They are designed for cold temperatures, for contact with snow and ice, for greater stability, they are maneuverable", he pointed out.
"Our employees check, in addition to the strength of the tire and the depth of the tread, also the technical condition of the vehicles. This includes checking the wipers – what is the condition of the blades", explained Senior Commissioner Boteva.
The fine for reckless drivers is between 50 and 200 leva. 6 control points are also taken.
The degree of assessment of the malfunction also varies.
According to the auto expert, a summer tire with a depth of 7 mm is legally permissible for driving in winter conditions, but at low temperatures it is unable to stop or turn adequately.
"Winter tires have much softer rubber, which remains good at traction at lower temperatures. Summer tires, on the other hand, start to brake with difficulty below 6 degrees, which means you have to switch to winter tires all day long," explained Marin Sirakov.
And the disposal of used tires in unregulated places is punishable by a fine of 300 to 4,000 leva.
"The Sofia Municipality does not have designated places, since it is not obliged to collect used tires. They can only be left in car service stations. All other places where tires are left are unregulated and constitute a violation," specified Tatyana Asenova - Head of the "Environmental Protection" Department at the Sofia Inspectorate.