Snow Chains...

Beta Ray Bill

Hi All.

A quick question.

are snow chains legal in Ireland?

A mate of mine lives in a very remote area past Mullingar. (almost 20 min drive to the Petrol station, and that's down a backroad)

The Roads down there are covered in ice and snow and are really not safe to drive. She has the Snow chains on her Car but was questioned about them by a Garda once she got to Mullingar Town. (The garda said she didn't know whether or not they were Legal, Like She wasn't mean about it. she just said that she should find out and act accordingaly) The argument is that the Chains will damage a Tarmac Road.

Just thought I'd ask on here.

Cheers
G.

Matt Simis

grahambo wrote: »

(The garda said she didn't know whether or not they were Legal, Like She wasn't mean about it. she just said that she should find out and act accordingaly)

So we self police now? :rolleyes:

andrewh5

Snow chains are legal here but should only be used on snow more than an inch or two deep. They will damage roads if the snow isn't deep enough and should be taken off as soon as you reach less snow or clear roads.

TBH your friend would be far better off learning to drive on the kind of snow we get here which isn't really deep enough to warrant the use of chains and occurs about every third tuesday in lent.

Beta Ray Bill

andrewh5 wrote: »

TBH your friend would be far better off learning to drive on the kind of snow we get here which isn't really deep enough to warrant the use of chains and occurs about every third tuesday in lent.

That's what I said

but apparently its Pretty bad down there. and the roads are very Hilly. I would be easy to slide down one in a car accidentally

I cant say for sure exactly how bad it is as I haven't seen it.

however based on the amount of snow we've had the last couple of days I could imagine it is pretty bad.

Don't ask me why she has snow chains... apparently shes had em about 4 years now but never really needed to use em.

Anan1

If I were her i'd use them where I need them and then take them off. It's a lot less hassle than sliding off the road, IMO.

peasant

Driving with snow chains on tarmac also damages the chains

They only really work in deep snow where they never really get in touch with the tar surface. On ice they can be iffy as well.

Proper winter tyres would be the better investment.

GreeBo

if its just slush then sure winter tires are ok, but if you actually have compacted snow on the ground then chains are your best bet.

Chains V Tires

pineapple*soul

andrewh5 wrote: »

TBH your friend would be far better off learning to drive on the kind of snow we get here which isn't really deep enough to warrant the use of chains and occurs about every third tuesday in lent.

hindsight lol

Anan1

pineapple*soul wrote: »

hindsight lol

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