Since September 2023, driving on summer tires during the winter months is treated as a violation and can lead to a fine. This stance was highlighted by Igor Pozdnyakov, the Deputy Director of the Roskachestvo Department for the Protection of Consumer Rights and Improvement of the Quality of Financial Services, in reports cited by RT.
According to Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code, such a violation may result in an administrative fine, the expert explained.
The fine amount has been set at 500 rubles. Pozdnyakov noted that it is advisable to switch to winter tires when the average daily air temperature hovers around +4 to +5 degrees Celsius.
A Roskachestvo spokesperson underscored that summer tires tend to lose grip on cold asphalt, which can make travel dangerous even on dry roads. Drivers were also advised to replace windshield washer fluid with antifreeze and to ensure their tires are properly balanced.
On October 21, Roman Vilfand, the scientific director of the Russian Hydrometeorological Center, urged Muscovites to replace their summer tires with winter tires.
Earlier, there were discussions about the most appropriate period for changing tires for cars.