Snow on the way!

Posts crossed dj. Actually it would be much better to call them 'winter tyres' as they are really effective on very cold and/or icy roads- as well as on snow- as the RAC and the AA explain.

I'm quite aware of how far the UK goes up dj.

Yes, snow tyres sound good for those up North.

When I asked how long they last in storage, I was going by the life of rubber gloves stored in the cupboard under the sink.

But you didn't say that, jingl. You said you can't blame people in the UK for not getting snow tyres, considering how little snow we get.
If you get your tyres changed in the winter, you get them checked as well, with the tracking checked twice a year, so theoretically our tyres are safer because we get them checked.
I hope car tyres do not deteriorate as fast as rubber gloves, although I suppose they must deteriorate to some degree.
I never had to bother about stuff like that when my husband was alive as the car was motability, so all servicing was included, as was a new car every three years. I am finding out now how much it costs to keep a car on the road.

Well, we had just over 1 foot overnight- no chaos, no panic.

I asked 'elsewhere' a Forum a British expats who live here. 17 replies this morning- all saying the same thing- snow and uk = sheer madness. And that snow tyres should be renamed 'winter tyres' because they are so effective in cold temps, wet and icy roads- not just in snow. All of them and they are all British (not like me who has only been British for 43 years- so perhaps quite a bit longer than them ;) ) - stated they just cannot believe what happens in the UK when it snows- and can't understand why people in the North and mountainous areas don't spend that little bit more to have a spare set of rims with winter tyres.

When you lose control of your vehicle- it is not just you that is at risk, but the other cars, and pedestrians on the pavements, children playing in the snow- etc. If it encourages just one GNeter to get fitted with winter tyres who lives in a hilly northern area, the adivce will have been worthwhile. As well as accusations of 'lecturing' and of 'not understanding because I am a furiner innit'! Out now to go and help OH with the snow blowing (yes we have a snow blower- like winter tyres- not having one would be a folly round here) and the shovelling. It's a sunny winterwonderland out there- hurrah.

granjura, a lot of "what happens in the UK when it snows" is just hype from the media and the way we do love to talk about our weather. Most of us just get on with it. I've lived in Germany and apart from the fact you'll have a neighbour banging on the door telling you that by law you have to clear "your" snow by some Godforsaken time, there's very little difference.

And no one has suggested that you don't understand because you're a 'furiner' granjura. It's just that most people dislike being told what to do in a finger-wagging way which comes across as 'lecturing'.

dj is a prime example of those UK citizens who do take steps to ensure winter safety on the roads, and don't need any prompting.

Finger wagging, my foot:

I am surprised that not more people in Yorkshire Dales and other snowy parts of UK do not equip themselves with at least a good fron wheel drive and snow tyres for the winter .... how can this be construed as fingerwagging!

How can advice from the AA and RAC, be fingerwagging?!?

Maggie, I'm afraid I've seen it with my own eyes just too many times t know that it is not 'hype from the media'. I used to have to drive across country up and down hills to my school 30 miles away- it was bedlam with just a sprinkling of snow- why deny it? Got 29 replies to my thread elsewhere- all saying the same thing- UK + snow = bedlam and madness- so much of which could be avoided with winter tyres.

Bedlam and madness my foot! Talk about gross exaggeration...

Maggie, in Germany, it is illegal to drive in snow, slush or icy conditions without winter tyres anyhow:

Fine

“If drivers are caught running a vehicle in winter weather conditions on summer tyres, they will receive a fine of €40. If a driver endangers other road users, the fine increases to €80 and the driver will also receive one point on their driving licence

Insurance

“In addition, a driver who causes an accident as a result of failing to fit winter tyres will have problems with their insurance.

Fully comprehensive insurers will argue that they are entitled to refuse part of the insurance payment as a result of the driver’s gross negligence. It is also conceivable that third-party insurers will also attempt to refuse part of the insurance payment,”.

Driving without winter tyres in ice, snow or slush in Germany is considered as gross negligence- just like drunk driving- as it endangers other lives. Same here where I live.

did you watch the video- one of 1000s out there- of cars slipping and sliding up and down hills every winter - like a game of skittles.

Next time I see it on the news- I'll think about you.

Anyhow, if DJ is the only one here who has fitted winter tyres- the RAC/AA stats seem quite optimistic.

Stay safe.

Oh come on those of us who live in the north and have 4x4 s and don't have the luxury of a company car and suchlike are generally very sensible. We put on our hiking boots and shoe grips and trudge off leaving our cars behind us. I often used to slither into Durham from our own little winter wonderland (up a hill,down a hill and up a hill) and find that embarrassingly I was the only one dressed like Nanook of the North. The main roads are rarely a problem. According to DH he finds it more successful driving up our hill backwards in the snow. Neighbours with glam company cars just sit there burning rubber until we go and dig them out. Sigh.

I have DD's snow boots tucked away in the wardrobe ready to pull out and wear if it snows; I can then trek down our hill (which never gets gritted). I bought them for her 15 years ago when she went to work in Switzerland - she never wore them because she said that all the pavements were cleared!!
I've worn them on a few occasions, walking to work years ago and during that very cold winter five years ago.

Wow! Just seeing what I have missed in a 26 hour "break" from GN while in London with the DDs and future in laws.
FIVE whole pages on how we in the UK don't cope with snow
Well I seem to have survived a Scottish upbringing (with snow) , in the same way that others coped with other parts of "oop North" or indeed down in Kent which often suffers. Just didn't realise how inept we British are.
Makes you wonder how we won the war doesn't it?
In the words of the "meenister" who told his flock how at the Day of Judgement as the sinners writhe in Hell, bewailing their fate "oh Lord, we didnae ken , we didnae ken ", the Lord in his infinite wisdom will turn his face upon them and say "Weel , ye ken noo "
Well we ken noo.

Does anyone else in UK have winter tyres?

Other than you??

It hasn't snowed here yet - despite predictions .....

November used to bring fog, didn't it?

must be all this global warming

Oh - temperatures rising next week after tonight according to the forecast on Countryfile - minus 5C tonight then mild and wet. If you don't like the weather just wait a minute

If I lived somewhere higher up which consistently got snow and if I had to get to work, I would get winter tyres.

They do grit the roads here (apart from ours)

I'm sure there are other people in the UK who have winter tyres fitted apart from you, durhamjen. I'm not one of them because where I live it hasn't snowed enough to warrant them for five years.

If we get snowed in, it'll be shanks's pony and boots with a good grip!

Obviously, Alea. Do you not understand plain English now - or are you trying to deflect the question?

Does anyone else but me on this site and in the UK have winter tyres?
Is that simple enough for you?

We can't answer for the rest of the UK durhmjen...

Perhaps there is a site that records sales figures.

I don't know the answer.

Calm down!!

Perhaps you should Alea:

Well I seem to have survived a Scottish upbringing (with snow) , in the same way that others coped with other parts of "oop North" or indeed down in Kent which often suffers. Just didn't realise how inept we British are.
Makes you wonder how we won the war doesn't it?
In the words of the "meenister" who told his flock how at the Day of Judgement as the sinners writhe in Hell, bewailing their fate "oh Lord, we didnae ken , we didnae ken ", the Lord in his infinite wisdom will turn his face upon them and say "Weel , ye ken noo "
Well we ken noo. grin

I can feel the steam all the way from here. Are you denying the RAC and AA advice that winter tyres can prevent many accidents, motorway pile ups and save lives? You should write to them and tell them they are talking rubbish.

Calm down, calm down indeed.