Coach operators stay legal with Continental

Coach operators who travel to Europe throughout the winter season need to ensure that their tyres and vehicles comply with local legislation. These vary greatly from country to country in Western Europe and drivers may suffer financial penalties or even be prevented from travelling through certain areas if they don’t adhere to the regulations.

To help simplify the issue, Continental Tyres has updated its Winter Tyre Guide, which highlights the different tyre requirements coach operators from the UK and Ireland will encounter when operating in Europe this winter. The guide also advises operators on best practise for fitting winter tyres to ensure vehicles stay safe in wintry conditions.

Continental recommends that due to the increased safety requirements on coaches travelling to the Alps, or to Scandinavian and Baltic regions, all axles should be equipped with specially developed winter tyres. This is particularly important on coaches because steer tyres are often fitted to all axles. Either a specialist winter steer tyre or a dedicated coach tyre should be fitted all round. In addition Continental recommends using snow chains on at least one drive axle when required.

As well as good winter performance, Tracey Hyem, Commercial Marketing Manager at Continental says “International coach operators also want low noise and reduced tread wear on roads free of ice and snow. Continental offer dedicated heavy duty winter tyres such as the HSW2 and HDW2 Scandinavia tyres or for year round use, the dedicated coach tyre, HSW2 Coach.”

Further information on the correct use of winter tyres as well as a country by country guide to tyre legislation this winter, is available free to all as a download from the Continental website at www.conti-online.co.uk/truck