Wrong tires, driving without lights or peephole trips are that expensive: there are fines for this in winter

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Winter is not only characterized by slippery roads. The cold season means that buses only operate during the winter months. We list the most important of these below.

In winter, you may also face a fine if you ignore traffic rules due to traffic signs covered in snow. The following applies here: They continue to be applied in principle, which rarely results in a fine. Here is a separate guide on this topic.

Driving through snow cover
Those who do not clear most of the snow from their car will be reported and this will cost hundreds of francs even if there is no accident. The roof, windows, front and rear (hood), as well as all lights, the glass surfaces of the mirrors and, last but not least, the license plates must be clean.

Driving with a peephole
The following applies for interior icing and – generally unknown – misting: The windshield and front side windows must be completely free (no “icy edges”), as are the exterior mirror glass surfaces. If there is a right mirror, the rear side windows and the rear window are not – but it would be better to leave them free too. If you don’t scratch? Depending on the situation, the notice fee is usually around 600 francs, sometimes even more; This is one of the most common mistakes drivers make in winter.

let it warm up
Letting it warm up costs 60 francs and is pointless as it will warm up faster while driving. But what if the ice outside or the fog inside (use air conditioning instead) is so stubborn that you have no chance of seeing without it? Let us escape! If you’re lucky, this isn’t “unnecessary” work. If so, it would be better to risk these punishments than to get scolded or even have an accident.

no winter tires
If you do not have winter tires or equivalent all-weather tyres, you will not be fined from the start, even if it is freezing: these are not mandatory. But you don’t have to crash in snow and ice to get a penalty: you just need to be obstructive or clearly unable to control the car! Consequences: reprimand, usually cancellation of identity, application for insurance in case of accident.

Bad winter tires
The price of winter tires with a profile below 1.6 millimeters is 100 francs per tire. However, experts recommend a tread depth of at least four millimeters on winter tires.

No snow chains
Anyone who passes the mandatory sign without snow chains will pay a fine of 100 francs. Exception: Four-wheel drive is sufficient if clearly stated.

too little light
Fog, drizzle or light snowfall during the dark season is often the reason why cars drive with only daytime running lights (and often without taillights): light sensors usually do not detect such things. If in doubt, turn on the dipped beam headlights manually, otherwise you face a fine of 40 (60 for vehicles without even daytime running lights) francs (you can find the guide with all the lighting rules here).

too much light
Those who excessively use fog lights, which are ineffective but permitted on days when visibility is limited, will pay a fine of 40 francs. The same applies to rear fog lights that turn on unnecessarily. For both, the old distance rule has been removed and there is now a “significant” obstruction to vision. Basic rules: Earliest in front when visibility is less than 200 metres. As before, please only use the rear when the vehicle is below 50 meters and turn off the vehicle again when visibility improves or others are driving behind us.

Source: Blick