Germany and the Czechs tighten up border controls. They check not only the vignettes, but besides the age of the tires

For thousands of Polish drivers, travelling by car to Western and South Europe is simply a regular thing – whether for commercial or tourist purposes. Crossing the border with Germany and the Czech Republic has so far been associated with a routine, frequently unnoticeable procedure or, at worst, with vignette control and mandatory equipment. However, fresh reports indicate crucial increased control on our neighbors' side. German officers Polyzei Czech Policy They're not just looking at the obvious. Their attention is increasingly focused on a item that most drivers ignore: at tyre age. It turns out that the old, even if having a deep tyre tread, can become the basis for imposing a advanced mandate and, worse, banning further travel.

Organic wines and stickers – a standard we inactive forget about

Before we decision on to a fresh threat, it is worth mentioning the grounds that are inactive the origin of problems for many Poles.

• In the Czech Republic valid electronic vignette (electronica dálniční známka). The deficiency of purchased vignette assigned to the vehicle registration number is immediately captured by the camera strategy and patrols. punishment on the place could even cost respective 1000 crowns.
• In Germany, although highways are free for passenger cars, entering the centers of most cities requires having organic sticker (Umweltplakette). Its absence in the Low emanation region (Umweltzone) is simply a mandate of EUR 100.

These controls have become more thorough and frequent. But the real news is elsewhere.

New control goal: The age of your tires. How do we test him?

The police officer checks not only the depth of the tread (in Germany and Czech Republic minimum 1.6 mm) but reaches for a much more precise tool – the date of production of the tyre. Why is age so important? due to the fact that the rubber from which the tyres are made loses its properties over the years. It becomes hard, fragile and susceptible to microfracturesEven if the tire was not intensively used. The old tire dramatically increases the hazard of firing at advanced velocity on the highway.

How do you check the tyre age? On its side, you should find the so-called. DOT number. This is simply a string of characters that last 4 digits betray the date of production.

• The first 2 digits means the week of production.
• The last 2 digits means the year of production.

Example: If there is simply a DOT number on the tyre ending in 3520This means that it was produced in Week 35, 2020.

What age of tyre is unacceptable, and what do the regulations say?

Although the regulations of most countries do not set the maximum tyre age, there is simply a widely accepted and respected by experts, insurers and border services.

• Over 6-8 years: The tyre begins to lose its key properties. It is recommended to replace it, regardless of the state of the tread.
• Over 10 years: The tyre is considered to be absolutely dangerous and unfit.

Police officer in Germany, based on general regulations on the method condition of the vehicle (mainly § 36 StVZO – German road traffic law), has the right to recognise that a vehicle on tyres older than 10 years old, especially if they bear visible traces of aging (fracturing), poses a traffic hazard. This is the basis for very strict steps.

Consequences of driving on an old tyre: Mandate is the smallest problem

If it turns out that our tires are besides old during control, we gotta deal with a full array of unpleasantness.

1. Criminal term: In Germany, a fine of 60 to 120 euro and punishment points for the German register.
2. No further driving: It's the most serious and severe consequence. If a police officer finds the tires dangerous, he may release prohibit movement of the vehicle. This means that the car will be immobilized in the parking lot, and we will gotta arrange a tow truck for the workshop at our own expense or call mobile service to exchange tires for fresh ones. This generates tremendous stress, a waste of time and additional costs of respective 100 euros.
3. Insurance problems: In the event of an accident, if the expert finds that the origin was a crack in the old tyre, the insurer may refuse to pay compensation from the AC policy or even happen with a regression within the OC.

Expert comment: The German road does not forgive mistakes

The tightening of controls, especially on the German side, is not malicious, but the consequence of a pragmatic approach to security. On German highways, where there are no velocity limits on many sections, tyre performance is absolutely crucial. Tyre blasts at 160 km/h almost always end in a tragic carambole.

Many Polish drivers, mainly driving around the country with lower speeds, underestimate the age of tires, focusing only on the tread. It's a dangerous reasoning trap. The tyre, which looks good on the eye, may be a ticking time bomb.

Therefore, before any longer journey abroad, in addition to checking fluids and pressure, a simple but highly crucial ritual must be performed: bypass the car and read the DOT number from each tyre, including the spare wheel. If 1 of them is approaching the border of 10 years, its exchange before leaving is not an expense, but the most reasonable investment in the safety of its own, its household and another road users. German and Czech police just started enforcing what should be the standard for any liable driver.