CAPT. STACEY RUFFIN
446th Movement Control Battalion
Kaiserslautern, Germany

As the season's first winter mix began to fall, I made the prudent decision to send my team home early, advising them to beat the impending traffic. Unfortunately, I didn't take my own advice. Instead, I opted to stay behind and tackle a few pressing tasks. An hour or so later, I finally packed up to leave, only to find that the roads around work were now covered with a light dusting of snow. My small, trusty, four-door sedan, which had faithfully served me for the past two years, was showing its age — nearly 19 years old — and perhaps was not as resilient as it once was. As a newcomer to Germany, I was about to learn a valuable lesson the hard way: the importance of proper winter tires. Despite my best intentions, I had failed to prepare my car for the harsh German winter.

With the autobahn stretching out before me and little to no snow on the road, I accelerated smoothly into the traffic flow. The clear roads helped calm my nerves, providing a sense of relief from the anxiety that had been building since the first flakes started falling at work. However, as I exited the highway, I was abruptly thrust into a winter wonderland, where snow-covered roads and slushy conditions replaced the smooth, high-speed asphalt. My caution instinct kicked in, and I slowed my pace to a crawl, carefully monitoring the vehicles ahead and behind me. With every move, I was hypervigilant, aware that even the slightest miscalculation could have serious consequences.

A slight hill loomed ahead, and as I approached, I saw the vehicles in front of me slow to a virtual stop, prompting me to hit the brakes and fall in line. Before I knew it, my car hit a patch of ice and slid out of control, striking the vehicle to my right. The collision sent my car careening into a ditch, where it became stuck. In a state of growing panic, I frantically dialed my husband's number, calling him more than 20 times before he finally answered. Unbeknownst to me, he was in the middle of a gym session, oblivious to the barrage of missed calls.

My usual sense of independence gave way to fear, and I was desperate for rescue. Our four-wheel drive SUV, a symbol of capability and adventure, seemed like my only hope for a safe escape. I was counting on my husband to come whisk me away from the slippery streets and back to the warmth and security of home.

Once he arrived, my ordeal was far from over, as my car remained stuck in the ditch. I promptly contacted the military police to report the accident while simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief that the vehicle I struck only sustained minor scratches and the driver was uninjured. About 30 minutes later, the MPs arrived on the scene, accompanied by the tow truck, and I was subsequently issued a ticket. The inspection of my car that followed revealed a shocking truth — my tires were bald, a glaring danger I had never even noticed.

The consequences of my oversight were clear: my car was deemed unfit to drive and I was forced to park it until I replaced the tires. This was a hard lesson to learn, but one that will stay with me for a lifetime. From now on, I vow to make tire inspections a routine part of my vehicle maintenance, a crucial check to be performed with every changing season. This experience was a costly and embarrassing one, but it taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of preparedness and my responsibility on the road.

Winter Tire Rules in Germany

When are snow tires required?
German federal law mandates the use of winter tires when conditions are icy. While there is no specific time period during which winter tires are required, many German drivers use the rule of thumb “von O bis O” — from O to O — meaning snow tires should be put on in October and remain on until Ostern (Easter). The laws also apply to motorbikes, trucks and buses, regardless of whether the driver is the owner or is renting the vehicle.

What types of tires are required?
European winter tires have two kinds of markings: a snowflake for snow tires or M+S for tires designed to work in “matsch und schnee”— mud and snow. All-season or all-weather tires may also have the M+S marking and are acceptable for winter driving. Only snow tires without spikes or studs are allowed in Germany. Tires designed for snow function better than multi-purpose tires, and it’s best if all four tires match. All tires must have at least 1.6 mm of tread depth, but for maximum safety, tires with less than 4 mm should be replaced. A one-euro coin can be used for a quick tread check. When placed in the tire’s tread, you should not be able to see the golden edge of the coin. If you can, the tire needs to be replaced. The German automobile club ADAC recommends using tires that carry the three-peak mountain seal, the mark of snow tires that meet the highest standards. (NOTE: All new winter tires must feature the Alpine symbol, which is represented by a three-peak mountain with a snowflake at its center. This symbol certifies that the tire is suitable for extreme winter conditions, providing superior grip on snow, slush and ice compared to standard tires, and is required by law in some regions, such as Germany, for winter driving. All-season tires or winter tires labeled with M+S (and no Alpine symbol) that were manufactured before 2018, are no longer acceptable.)

Can tire chains be used in Germany?
In some areas, snow chains may be required, but only as directed by road signs or police. The maximum speed while driving a vehicle with chains is 50 kph.

What are the penalties for driving without winter tires?
If you get caught driving without the correct tires on your vehicle, you can get a 40-euro ticket. If you cause an accident or create a road hazard or traffic jam as a result of not having the correct tires on your vehicle, you can expect an 80-euro ticket and a point against your license. Police can assign blame to a motorist involved in a winter accident whose car does not have snow tires installed, regardless of who caused the accident. In addition, some insurance companies may deny coverage to motorists driving with summer tires on winter roads.

Traveling in Germany or Europe?
Pay attention to rental cars. Don’t take for granted that they are equipped with winter tires during the winter season. It is always your responsibility as the driver to ensure that the vehicle you operate is in a roadworthy condition, which includes suitable tires. You should clearly request winter tires when you reserve the car and verify they are installed before accepting the car. Rental companies may charge an extra fee for winter tires. If your vacation takes you to another country, such as Austria or Switzerland, check what these countries’ rules are for winter driving. The European Road Safety website is a good resource and can be accessed at https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/going_abroad/index_en.htm.

Source: USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Garrison Safety Office Winter Drivers Orientation.