In many other European countries it is a common practice for drivers to fit 'Winter Tyres' in late Autumn and revert back to 'Summer Tyres' in the late Spring, so why is this not the case in the UK and Ireland?

Ask any British or Irish driver about 'Winter Tyres' and their answer is likely to relate in some way to snow or ice covered roads.

Ask a British or Irish driver how often they encounter snow or ice and the answer is likely to range from very infrequently to occasionally depending upon where they are located in the British and Irish Isles.

The perception that 'Winter Tyres' only give benefits on snow or ice is years out of date as modern rubber compound technology and advances in tread pattern design means the modern day 'Winter Tyre' also provides higher levels of road safety on cold and damp road surfaces too. (Perhaps a more apt name for 'Winter Tyres' would now be 'Cold Weather Tyres')

Much progress has been made over the last twenty-five years and tyre technology is

now at a very advanced level. New vehicle concepts, combined with tyres ideally adapted to requirements, have made driving noticeably safer today. The benefits are persuasive - substantially increased mileage performance, less weight, reduced rolling resistance and considerably shorter braking distances on both wet and dry roads all speak for themselves.

7°C Threshold

 Ambient temperature is a deciding factor on which tyre type provides the highest safety for road users.

It is Continental's view that most drivers will adapt driving styles when snow is on the ground and when temperatures drop below zero degrees. Why, because such conditions are either very visible or very apparent to the driver. However cold damp road conditions visibly are no different to damp conditions in the warmer months, hence drivers will tend not to adjust driving style to suit, therefore it is potentially these latter road conditions which present the highest risks.

Research shows these potentially hazardess conditions are most likely to be encountered when the ambient temperature drops below 7°C, which in Britain and Ireland means between October and April.

Braking on snow and ice covered roads

 On snow- or ice-covered roads only Winter tyres reduce the braking distance by those vital metres. The comparison below proves the point.Why winter tyres?

• According to current legislation in some countries driving with inappropriate tyres can have legal consequences and may also affect your insurance cover.
• Only winter tyres offer maximum safety at low temperatures.
• Unlike summer tyres, winter tyres cannot "freeze". That means optimum driving comfort, in addition to safe driving performance.
• Advances in tread pattern design mean modern winter tyres are as attractive in their appearance as summer tyres.
• Modern winter tyres are as quiet and comfortable as summer tyres and, thanks to sophisticated silica compound technology, do not wear any more quickly.