Drivers beware: Use of winter equipment has begun

From November 15 to April 15 of the following year, possession and use of winter equipment is legally mandatory throughout BiH, regardless of weather conditions, according to BIHAMK, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

There are two legally valid Ordinances with opposing provisions on winter equipment (Official Gazette of BiH 13/07 and Official Gazette of BiH 23/07). Until the existing ordinances are amended and harmonized, and according to the instructions of the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH, Transport Sector, winter equipment is defined as:

For motor vehicles with up to 8 seats and motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of up to 3.5 tons:

1. Tires with winter tread on all wheels (tread depth of at least 4mm) or

2. Tires with summer tread (tread depth of at least 4mm) and appropriate chains in the vehicle, to be fitted on the drive wheels in case of winter conditions.

For motor vehicles with more than 8 seats and motor vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of over 3.5 tons:

1. Tires with winter tread on the drive wheels (tread depth of at least 4mm), snow chains, and auxiliary tools (shovel and a bag of sand from 25 to 50 kg) or

2. Tires with summer tread (tread depth of at least 4mm) and appropriate chains in the vehicle, to be fitted on the drive wheels in case of winter conditions (snow falling and remaining on the road, packed snow on the road, freezing rain on the road, icy road) and auxiliary tools (shovel and a bag of sand from 25 to 50 kg).

We remind you that, in accordance with Article 228 of the Law, if an authorized person finds a vehicle moving without winter equipment on a road section and at a time when winter equipment is mandatory, they will order the driver to immediately stop the vehicle and rectify the defect, or to use winter equipment. If the driver does not comply with the order, the authorized person will remove the vehicle from traffic and confiscate the vehicle's registration certificate.