Butthe traction of normal tyres is reduced during cold conditions.  Tyres tend to harden when the temperaturedrops below 7'C, increasing the chance of losing control of the vehicle, andincreasing the stopping distance in an emergency. 

Reducing risks on the road

Thedifference between normal and seasonal tyres lies in the material ? the rubbercompound of a winter tyres has a higher ratio of natural rubber and a highersilicone content than normal tyres.  Thenatural rubber and silicone content reduces the tendency of the tyre to hardenwhen cold. 

Statisticsshow us that accidents on the road are higher in winter than summer. In factmore than 6,000 accidents occurred during our winter months than summer,according to Continental tyres [source: ].   Although it can't be said with any certaintythat tyres were the contributing factor in the accidents, there's a strongpossibility that they were at least a factor in some of the accidents.

However,fitting seasonal tyres only reduces the risk of accidents and their use cannotguarantee a trouble-free journey. Drivers need to remain vigilant when driving in adverse conditions, andit's a good idea to consider effective .  A good will help tomitigate the trauma of an accident. 

Theexperienced driver has a better chance of coping in wintery conditions whileyoung drivers are more at risk of having an accident.  It's advisable for inexperienced drivers toconsider taking out , a policy that designed specifically for drivers with littleexperience.    

Increasing traction

Thetraction of winter tyres is improved by tiny slits in the tread blocks, knownas sipes.  The sipes increase the numberof lateral edges, so when a car accelerates or decelerates the tyres have abetter grip because there is a larger spread of edges on their surface. 

Tyre sipes are named after the inventor, John Sipe, who cameup with the idea in the USin the 1920s as a way of improving the grip of the shoes of workers in a wetslaughterhouse.  But although sipesincrease the tendency of tyres to grip the road, they also increase noiselevels, which is why it's good to change back to normal tyres when the weatherimproves. 

Becauseof their better grip, winter tyres are also less likely to aquaplane in wetconditions.  Aquaplaning is caused when atyre loses contact with the road because water has reduced its efficiency.  It can be very dangerous as the drivermomentarily loses control of the vehicle.  

Increasing performance

Whenfitting winter tyres, it's a good idea to fit them onto all four wheels, and notonly fit them onto the drive axle. 

Althoughfitting winter tyres is optional in the UK, it's worth remembering that insome European countries is required by law because of their safetyfeatures.  It may cost a bit more, butstudies prove that it's worth the trouble.