In less than a month, it will be illegal to drive on studded tires unless winter road conditions are present. As April 16 approaches, drivers in Sweden need to plan their tire changes, keeping a close eye on temperature and weather forecasts. Lars Nordquist from the National Traffic Safety Association emphasizes the importance of checking local weather, especially to ensure that temperatures continuously remain above five degrees Celsius.

The law mandates that winter tires, which include both studded and unstudded friction tires, must be used until March 31 if winter conditions are present. After this date, drivers switching to summer tires must be wary of the potential for returning winter weather. If it does snow or icing occurs after switching, summer tires are unsuitable for cold temperatures, becoming hard and ineffective, leading to dangerous driving conditions.

Experts suggest that if drivers have already made the switch to summer tires but encounter unexpected winter weather, they should avoid driving altogether if possible. If travel is necessary, it is crucial to drive slowly to mitigate risks associated with using inappropriate tires for the conditions. This situation underlines the vital nature of staying informed about weather changes in order to maintain safety on the roads during transitional seasons.