Drivers need to beware this week as the police will be ever-present checking for the placement of winter tyres and other required equipment up and down the country's roads.
As Index writes on the 11th of November, 2018, some big changes for drivers in Croatia will come into effect as of Thursday. Namely, on most roads, they will need to make sure they're drive with their winter equipment.
The penalty for non-compliance with this important safety regulation currently stands at 700 kuna.
"Although winter begins only at the beginning of December, from November the 15th, winter equipment will be required in the Republic of Croatia.
The Decree on the Mandatory Use of Winter Equipment on Winter Roads in the Republic of Croatia, issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, states that winter equipment is mandatory on from the 15th November of the current year to the 15th of April next year, in this case from the 15th og November 2018, to the 15th of April 2019.
According to the Decision, the mandatory use of winter equipment applies to all types of motor vehicles, regardless of the weather conditions and the road conditions,'' explains HAK.
Pursuant to Article 193 of the Road Traffic Safety Act (OG 67/08), winter conditions include snow and ice on pavements too. If the traffic police stop a vehicle on the road without winter tyres and other necessary equipmenr at a time when winter equipment is required, they will be forced to immediately stop the vehicle, or make the driver continue driving on a road on which the movement of that type of vehicle (without winter equipment) is permitted, or to put the winter equipment in place there and then. Otherwise, the driver will face a fine of 700 kuna.
"Tyres are one of the most important parts of the vehicle, and the way in which they work between the car and the road is crucial for safety. It's good that the vehicle has the proper tyres for every time of year, since at temperatures below 7°C, summer tyres lose their elasticity as well as their adherence properties,'' they state from HAK.
Summer tyres almost have no chance whatsoever of properly functioning in the snow, with an extended stopping time which can then become very dangerous. At a temperature of -10°C, a car with summer tyres on travelling at a speed of 60 kilometres per hour will stop only after 55 metres, while a car with winter tyres on will come to a halt after 44 metres.
At lower temperatures, the braking distance is even longer. If the car still has its summer tyres on, it will stop only after 62 metres, with winter tires, it will stop by up to 50 metres.
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