Norway vehicle statistics show high use of summer tires in winter

Statistics from the insurance company If reveal that 13.3 percent of vehicles involved in accidents last winter were equipped with summer tires. This figure represents approximately one in eight vehicles.

Data indicates that regional differences exist regarding tire preparedness. Troms had the lowest percentage of summer tires at 6.1 percent, while Vestfold and Buskerud recorded the highest at 17.5 percent. Other regions with high percentages include Østfold, Oslo, and Agder.

Nora Helene Schnitler, damage manager at If, noted that accidents frequently occur during the first snowfall. She advised that drivers should switch to winter tires when temperatures drop toward seven degrees Celsius, warning that daytime warmth can provide a false sense of security against night frost and sudden snow.