British tourists heading to Europe this winter over the Christmas holiday have been urged to look out for one particular sign they almost definitely haven’t seen at home.
Mandy Roscoe, signaling expert of roller banner suppplier, Carrick Signs warns anyone planning to drive to Europe over the next several weeks, must take notice of blue circular snow-chain signs. European countries with snowy winter climates will issue heavy fines to drivers who fail to use chains when required.
The snow chain sign is a blue circular symbol showing a tyre wrapped in chains, showing drivers that snow chains must be fitted to vehicle immediately on that stretch of road. Roads with the blue circular snow chain sign carry a maximum speed limit of 50 km/h for anyone with chains. The sign “tells drivers that chains must be fitted immediately on that stretch of road, usually in steep or snowy mountain areas where grip can change within minutes.”
Mountain regions where this sign will be displayed is: France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Austria and Andorra where drivers must carry chains and use them.
Roscoe says “It a vehicle is involved in an incident in an area where snow chains should have been fitted, the driver is automatically considered responsible.”
She continued: “You must fit chains to at least two drive wheels when the sign is shown even if the car already has winter tyres. Drivers will see the end of a mandatory snow chain zone when a snow tyre with chains is crossed out, often in high-altitude or mountain areas where the rules change quickly.”
Drivers must be aware that heavy fines and automatic fault will be placed on drivers to fail to use chains when required. Understanding the blue circular snow-chain signs will help travellers avoid accidents, penalties and unexpected delays during the busiest winter travel period.
