Today, November 15, the regional measures requiring vehicles on the road to have winter tyres or snow chains on board come into force. Several ordinances, from this year onwards, oblige motorists to fit their cars with winter tyres or else to buy snow chains and carry them on board. The incidents of the winter of 2010/2011, which saw hundreds of motorists stranded in the Apennines because of a snowfall, led to widespread regulation aimed at avoiding further unpleasant mishaps.
The measures vary, but most agree on the start and end dates of the requirement. The most common start date is November 15, while the end date is April 15, covering the entire winter season; however, there are exceptions and some areas have already started the crackdown.
The requirement has stirred up a hornet’s nest of protests among motorists, who complain both about the lack of information from the relevant authorities and about the imposition of strict rules extended to areas that rarely experience problems due to snow.
Partly because of the complaints and partly because of the lack of precipitation in this first part of the winter, several provinces and regions have postponed the start date of the measure, and in some cases there is even talk of scrapping it. However, on most Italian roads, from November 15 you will have to drive with winter tyres or snow chains on board.
Here, then, is a broad overview of the requirements:
Province of Brescia: no requirement except on roads displaying the specific signs
Aosta Valley: in force from October 15 to April 30, 2012
Veneto: in force from November 15 on almost all state roads and motorways
Emilia-Romagna: in force from November 15 except on the S.S. 3bis – E45 stretch, where it has been in force since November 1
Piedmont: already in force and continuing until May 15, 2012
Bolzano: in force from November 15 until March 31, 2012
Friuli: in force from November 15 on almost all state roads and motorways
Tuscany: in force from November 1 on some stretches, from November 15 on others
Lazio: from November 15 on the SS 4 and SS 17
Abruzzo: in force from November 15
Molise: in force from November 16 on almost all state roads and motorways
Marche: in force from November 15 on almost all state roads and motorways
Umbria: in force from December 1 on almost all state roads and motorways
Sicily: in force from December 12
Campania: in force from November 15
Calabria: : in force from November 15
It is worth remembering that failure to comply means risking a fine ranging from 80 to 318 euros.
Have you chosen winter tyres or snow chains? Is your car ready to face the winter?
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