Due to the cold weather, we would like to remind all road users to be extremely attentive and cautious.
Due to the cold weather, we would like to remind all road users to be extremely attentive and cautious. Drivers must take into account that winter slipperiness forms almost simultaneously over a significant distance, therefore, it is technically impossible to treat the road surface with anti-icing agents or clear the roadway of snow everywhere and at once. According to clause 87 of the Traffic Regulations of the Republic of Belarus, when selecting a driving speed, the driver must take into account the speed limits established on the road they are travelling on, "as well as traffic intensity, road visibility, the characteristics and condition of the vehicle and the cargo it carries, road and weather (meteorological) conditions, and other factors that reduce atmospheric transparency and affect road visibility in the direction of travel."
In addition, in accordance with the amendments made to clause 207-1 of the Traffic Regulations, from December 1 to March 1, vehicles with a technically permissible total mass of up to 3.5 tons inclusive, passenger cars and light trucks with a technically permissible total mass of over 3.5 tons, as well as buses with a technically permissible total mass of up to 5 tons, must be equipped with winter tires. Winter tires are installed on all wheels of the vehicle and must have a residual tread depth of at least 4 mm. Tires marked with a mountain peak symbol with three peaks and a snowflake inside, or with the markings "M+S", "M&S", "M.S", "M S", or "All seasons" are accepted as winter tires.
Liability for not using winter tires on a vehicle is provided for by part 5 of Article 18.22 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus (other traffic violations) and entails a fine of up to five tenths of a basic unit.
In the event that winter tires are installed on the vehicle, but the residual tread depth is less than 4 mm, liability arises under part 3 of Article 18.12 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus (driving a vehicle with malfunctions) – this entails a fine of up to one basic unit, and repeated within a year from the imposition of the penalty, it is qualified under part 9 of Article 18.12 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus and entails a fine of up to five basic units.