Opinions on these snow chains...

BJ2007

dont know how i came across these, but anyway has anyone tried them?

they look really good and have to be better than them stupid snow socks.

here's the URL link:

http://bolandscarcare.com/product.php?prod_id=17

biko

Youtube "advert"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XNrV2gTUOM

Notice when he pulls away at 2.36, seems they skid a tiny bit?
Also I'm not sure how well you can do that fitting in freezing 2 feet of snow.
Just guessing.

L-M

AFAIK I know they're illegal here.

Snow "socks" seem to be the new thing.

CiniO

Limerick man wrote: »

AFAIK I know they're illegal here.

Snow "socks" seem to be the new thing.

I started a thread last week about legality of snow chains, and no one could confirm they were illegal.
Socks wouldn't be really any substitute for chains.

Socks might be handy on slippery flat road especially if someone doesn't have winter tyres. Then socks might be temporary solution.

Chains needs to be used on steep hills on heavy snow or ice.

You wouldn't drive on chains through the town, while on snow socks you would.

CiniO

biko wrote: »

Youtube "advert"

Notice when he pulls away at 2.36, seems they skid a tiny bit?
Also I'm not sure how well you can do that fitting in freezing 2 feet of snow.
Just guessing.

Definitely easier to fit than regular chains anyway.
I can't really see any skid at 2.36, but generally they can't be driven on tar anyway.

CiniO

BJ2007 wrote: »

dont know how i came across these, but anyway has anyone tried them?

they look really good and have to be better than them stupid snow socks.

here's the URL link:

http://bolandscarcare.com/product.php?prod_id=17

They seem nice, but price of €270 seem to be outrageous.

Normally snow chains should cost between €10 and €100 euro depending on brand and quality.

I wouldn't fancy paying €270 for something that's going to be used maybe once a year.

tossy

Id rather put the 270 euro towards winter tyres/wheels. 270 would easily buy you a set of alloys and then the cost of the winter tyres is cost neutral over the next 4/5 years as you will be saving your summers when using them and vice versa.

CiniO

tossy wrote: »

Id rather put the 270 euro towards winter tyres/wheels. 270 would easily buy you a set of alloys and then the cost of the winter tyres is cost neutral over the next 4/5 years as you will be saving your summers when using them and vice versa.

The thing is that winter tyres are for completely something else than snow chains.
Winter tyres aim is to provide better grip on low temperatures especially on snow or mud. You would put them for all winter, and drive normally on them.
They are good for conditions like that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDGC9WBXDnI

Snow chains are more likely for driving through roads like that, where winter tyres wouldn't be of any use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg1gNG7tE0g

BJ2007

Limerick man wrote: »

AFAIK I know they're illegal here.

Snow "socks" seem to be the new thing.

if there illegal then why are bolands aloud sell them?

subway

not legislated against as an item, but their use is restricted by statute.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2003/en/si/0005.html

51. All wheels and tracks of a vehicle shall be maintained in such condition as to be free from any defect which might in any way cause damage to the surface of a road or cause danger

they are considered damaging to roads so if found using them on a dry road, you could be charged etc.
they are not really for urban use as already pointed out above

L-M

BJ2007 wrote: »

if there illegal then why are bolands aloud sell them?

Offroad use.

CiniO

subway wrote: »

not legislated against as an item, but their use is restricted by statute.


51. All wheels and tracks of a vehicle shall be maintained in such condition as to be free from any defect which might in any way cause damage to the surface of a road or cause danger


they are considered damaging to roads so if found using them on a dry road, you could be charged etc.
they are not really for urban use as already pointed out above

Snow chains surely can't be considered a defect on wheels.
So this article is not relevant at all.

CiniO

Limerick man wrote: »

Offroad use.

Offroad and onroad use, when covered in snow or ice.
That's the only conditions using chains makes any sense.

ronan45

If you put these on the what are the chances of a Guard actually noticing you and bothering to stop you? If you think back the Guards were stuck all over the place as well. I doubt they would chase you down the road for having snow chains on would they?

"Sorry Guard But i really had to get medicine for my sick granny shes snowed in"

subway

my opinion (IANAL) is thats its something we simply havent had cause to legislate for (yet) as i am not aware of any judgement being given

the UK interpretation of the same legislation http://www.etyres.co.uk/uk-tyre-law

Damage to road, person or vehicle
If the tyre causes either damage to the road, or to persons, or to any vehicle using the road. This would cover such instances as if a vehicle with damaged or very oversized tyres which either caught against a person or other vehicle resulting in either damage or injury. Studded tyres also are included in this clause and if used in inappropriate conditions (i.e. where there is no ice or snow) and they damage the road surface then they would be clearly illegal

its agreed over there that using inappropirate tyres is covered by the damage part of the statute. i wouldnt know of a case that has been taken here, so the UK rulings would hold precedent here (in the absence of an irish judgement) although be open to appeal at a higher court

subway

ronan45 wrote: »

If you put these on the what are the chances of a Guard actually noticing you and bothering to stop you? If you think back the Guards were stuck all over the place as well. I doubt they would chase you down the road for having snow chains on would they?

"Sorry Guard But i really had to get medicine for my sick granny shes snowed in"

in heavy snow, they are legal, its when you come off the snow onto a clear patch.
the question really is, how enforceable is such a law.

it would most likely apply if you lost traction due to drving with chains on tarmac or if you actually churned up the road and were identified by a garda or eyewitness as doing so. if you're not causing any bother, you're unlikely to get in any trouble

CiniO

subway wrote: »

my opinion (IANAL) is thats its something we simply havent had cause to legislate for (yet) as i am not aware of any judgement being given

the UK interpretation of the same legislation http://www.etyres.co.uk/uk-tyre-law

Damage to road, person or vehicle
If the tyre causes either damage to the road, or to persons, or to any vehicle using the road. This would cover such instances as if a vehicle with damaged or very oversized tyres which either caught against a person or other vehicle resulting in either damage or injury. Studded tyres also are included in this clause and if used in inappropriate conditions (i.e. where there is no ice or snow) and they damage the road surface then they would be clearly illegal
its agreed over there that using inappropirate tyres is covered by the damage part of the statute. i wouldnt know of a case that has been taken here, so the UK rulings would hold precedent here (in the absence of an irish judgement) although be open to appeal at a higher court

Take notice that studded tyres is something completely else than snow chains.

I can't really see though how could the studded tyres be used only in appropriate conditions, as opposing to chains it's not something you can put on or off your can depending how road looks like.

And as well does it work the way if there is no legislation in Ireland over some topic, then UK legislation applies?
I never heard about it.

subway

CiniO wrote: »

Take notice that studded tyres is something completely else than snow chains.

I can't really see though how could the studded tyres be used only in appropriate conditions, as opposing to chains it's not something you can put on or off your can depending how road looks like.

And as well does it work the way if there is no legislation in Ireland over some topic, then UK legislation applies?
I never heard about it.

i agree, as long you take them on or off at the appropriate time then it shouldnt be an issue. as i mentioned earlier, they arent technically illegal, you just have to be careful how you use them.

my understanding of the law, is that if there is no irish precedent and an exact same case exists in the UK (or other common law area) then a judge can follow that ruling (but doesnt have to). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stare_decisis

Courts may choose to obey precedents of international jurisdictions, but this is not an application of the doctrine of stare decisis, because foreign decisions are not binding. Rather, a foreign decision that is obeyed on the basis of the soundness of its reasoning will be called persuasive authority — indicating that its effect is limited to the persuasiveness of the reasons it provides.

wikipedia isnt my only source, but its the easiest one i can find online to link to

CiniO

subway wrote: »

i agree, as long you take them on or off at the appropriate time then it shouldnt be an issue. as i mentioned earlier, they arent technically illegal, you just have to be careful how you use them.

my understanding of the law, is that if there is no irish precedent and an exact same case exists in the UK (or other common law area) then a judge can follow that ruling (but doesnt have to). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stare_decisis


wikipedia isnt my only source, but its the easiest one i can find online to link to

Thanks for expalining.