Mandate for tyres up to PLN 3000. See what the police control and avoid punishment.

With expanding awareness of road safety, police are increasingly looking into the method state of vehicles during regular inspections. peculiar attention is drawn to 1 key component – tyres. They, as the only point of contact of the car with the surface, have a fundamental impact on the adhesion, braking and overall control of the car. Negligence in this respect can be highly costly. According to the regulations in force, the incorrect condition of the driver's tyres threatens not only a advanced mandate, reaching even PLN 3000, but besides halt registration.

Why is tyre condition crucial to safety?

Many drivers treat tyres as a purely exploit element, forgetting their strategical role. However, it is the tiny surface of contact between rubber and asphalt that depends on the effectiveness of braking, the precision of driving in turns and the behaviour of the vehicle on wet surface. The utilized tread dramatically prolongs the braking path, especially in the rain, expanding the hazard of aquaplaning, i.e. losing contact with the road after entering the puddle.

Mechanical damage, specified as cracks, bulges or crushed rubber, is in turn a consecutive way to a abrupt blow of the tyre while driving, which almost always leads to a tragic accident at higher speeds. Therefore, regular monitoring of the state of the tyres is not only a way to avoid the mandate, but, above all, an investment in the own safety and safety of another road users.

What does a police officer check during tire inspection?

During traffic control, a police officer is not limited to a glance. The tyre control is detailed and covers respective key aspects that are regulated by law. Any of them may be the basis for the mandate.

• Tyre recognition on 1 axle: It's 1 of the basic requirements. The provisions clearly state that tyres fitted on wheels of 1 axle (front or rear) must be identical. This means the same model, the same size, the same velocity and burden capacity index, and above all the same tread pattern. Different tyres on 1 axle may origin unstable behaviour of the vehicle, especially during braking or fast manoeuvres. The exception is the emergency situation erstwhile utilizing a spare or access wheel. In this case, during the inspection, the driver must be able to prove that there has been a failure, for example by showing a damaged tyre in the trunk.
• Minimum tread depth: The law defines the minimum permissible tread depth at 1.6 mm. This value is an absolute minimum guaranteeing any discharge of water. A policeman can measurement the tread depth with a peculiar gauge. The driver can besides easy check this by utilizing consumption indicators TWI (Tread Wear Indicator). These are tiny lumps placed in tread grooves. If the surface of the tread blocks matches the TWI level, the tyre is eligible for immediate replacement.
• General method condition of the tyre: Even a tyre with a deep tread can be challenged by a police officer if her visual condition raises concerns. Officer will draw attention to any visible mechanical damage, specified as deep cuts, bulges on the side wall (so-called "bubbles"), which show harm to the interior structure and endanger to explode. Disqualifying are besides deep cracking and crushing of rubber, which is simply a sign of aging of the material and failure of its driving properties.

Mandate up to PLN 3000 and retention of registration

The detection of irregularities in the state of the tyres may have serious financial and administrative consequences. Interestingly, the mediocre method condition of the vehicle is not an offence specifically described in the ticket fareer. It gives a policeman the chance to usage Article 97 Code of Offence, which concerns violation of another provisions of the Road Traffic Law.

Under this article, a fine of up to PLN 3000. Although in practice, as noted in the notes, tyres usually oscillate within the limits several 100 PLN (up to 500 PLN), this advanced limit of the punishment remains very advanced and can be applied in gross cases.

However, the mandate is not the only acute consequence. If a police officer considers that the condition of tyres poses a direct hazard to road safety, he has the right, or even the obligation, to, keep the vehicle registration card. Legal basis here Article 132.1 Road Traffic Law. In specified a situation, the vehicle shall be withdrawn from movement and the driver may only proceed the journey after replacement of the tyres for a smooth and re-testing method test to confirm the removal of the failure.

Expert comment: Prevention is always cheaper than a mandate

The analysis of police government and practice leads to 1 conclusion: taking care of the condition of tyres is 1 of the most crucial duties of each driver. Regular control, at least erstwhile a month, takes virtually a fewer minutes to avoid immense problems. Not only shall the force be checked but besides the condition of the tyre tread and side walls should be visually assessed.

Investment in good quality tyres and their timely replacement are not unnecessary expenses, but the foundation of safe driving. The cost of a fresh set of tyres, although it may seem high, is incomparably lower than the possible fine in the amount PLN 3000, the towing costs of the vehicle after the failure of registration and, above all, the costs that cannot be converted into money related to an accident. Let us remember that on the road we are liable not only for ourselves, but besides for others. Good tires are the easiest way to take this work seriously.