Proposed Australian Regulation Encourages Winter Tyre Use

The high number of crashes occurring above the snow line in alpine regions of Australia has prompted one Australian state to propose a regulation making the fitting of 4×4 vehicles with winter tyres or snow chains compulsory. The regulation, proposed by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) in New South Wales, would be enforced between June and October and covers the nation’s heavily visited ski areas.

“With the increasing popularity and different models of 4WD vehicles on the market, the RTA has become aware that many 4WD vehicle drivers are not aware of their vehicles’ snow and ice handling capability, and do not adjust their driving to the prevalent conditions,” states the discussion paper released by the RTA. “Since the RTA began performing the incident management role in the Alpine Region in 2004 it has been noted that 4WD vehicles are frequently involved in incidents and crashes.”

Current regulations exempt 4×4 vehicles from the need to have winter tyres fitted or carry snow chains. However the RTA notes that just over 40 per cent of crashes on one particularly heavily used road in the region involved this type of vehicle, and overall the percentage of crashed involving 4×4 vehicles, as opposed to standard passenger cars, is growing.

Cold weather tyres are generally an unknown quantity in Australia, and the RTA advises that a set of such tyres for a 4×4 vehicle currently costs between AUS$2,000 and $2,200 (£900 and £1,000). The new regulation will be introduced in the 2010 ski season.