A significant portion of traffic accidents that increase during winter months are caused not by driving errors but by the use of tires that are unsuitable for seasonal conditions. Road and Traffic Safety Consultant Özgür Şener emphasized that winter tires are not merely a matter of legal compliance but a reflection of a driver’s awareness of protecting their own safety and the lives of others, stating, “For everyone who takes to the road in winter conditions, safety begins not at the steering wheel but with the right tire.”
Özgür Şener, an Instructor in the Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Üsküdar University and a Road and Traffic Safety Consultant, explained the critical role of winter tires in driving safety.
The obligation applies to commercial vehicles, but the risk applies to everyone
Şener reminded that the winter tire requirement for commercial vehicles transporting passengers and cargo between cities is in effect every year from December 1 to April 1. Although there is no legal obligation for passenger cars, he stressed that the same risks also apply to private vehicle drivers.
“Driving in winter conditions with summer tires significantly reduces vehicle control. Therefore, even if it is not a legal requirement, it is vital for private vehicles to use winter tires during this period,” Şener said.
Tires that perform in cold conditions determine safety
Stating that winter tires are optimally designed specifically for seasonal conditions, Şener explained that their softer compound allows better adaptation to the road surface at low temperatures.
He noted that summer tires harden below 7 degrees Celsius, leading to loss of grip, whereas winter tires provide shorter stopping distances during acceleration, cornering, and braking. He also added that their special tread patterns ensure more effective evacuation of water, snow, and slush.
Not every tire marked M+S is a true winter tire
Şener warned that looking only for the “M+S” marking when choosing winter tires is not sufficient and emphasized that the 3PMSF symbol, the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake, meets international standards.
He stated that tires bearing this symbol have passed performance tests for braking, traction, and cornering on snow, ice, and slush, while tires labeled only with M+S do not offer the same performance assurance.
Tread depth is the limit of safety
Özgür Şener recalled that the tread depth of winter tires on commercial vehicles must not be less than 4 millimeters and added that this value should also be considered the lower safety limit for passenger cars.
“An excessively worn winter tire is no longer a winter tire,” Şener said, noting that insufficient tread depth significantly increases braking distances.
Proper use is not enough; proper storage also matters
Şener emphasized that winter tires maintain their performance not only while in use but also through proper storage conditions. He stated that tires should be stored in cool, dry environments away from direct sunlight.
He added that cleaning the tires before storage and keeping them preferably in vacuum-sealed bags, away from chemical substances, helps prevent deterioration of the rubber compound.
Check more than just the tires before setting off
Stating that winter safety is not limited to tires alone, Şener called on drivers to ensure that all vehicle maintenance checks are completed before traveling. He reminded drivers that antifreeze, wipers, windshield washer fluid, lighting systems, fog lights, and tire pressures should comply with manufacturer specifications.
Şener also noted that having snow chains, a towing rope, a reflective vest, and a first aid kit in the vehicle is of vital importance in potential emergency situations.
Winter tires are not a preference but a matter of awareness
Emphasizing that winter tires represent not only compliance with regulations but also a conscious effort to protect one’s own safety and the lives of others, Özgür Şener concluded with the following statement:
“For everyone who takes to the road in winter conditions, safety begins not at the steering wheel but with the right tire.”