Every winter snow creates a challenging scenario on various sections of roads. The Roads Department of Georgia strongly advises drivers to install winter tires

In harsh weather circumstances, movement is only permitted with anti-skid chains unless the weather improves.

Traveling in hilly areas with cars that are not fitted with winter tires or anti-skid chains is very risky, resulting in traffic accidents and delays.

Since road safety is one of the priority areas of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the agency prepared new regulations to reduce the number of vehicle skidding accidents across the nation, obliging drivers to install winter tires in mountainous regions. Failing to do so will result in 100 GEL fines and a loss of 5 points in the demerit point system. If a driver loses all their points, their license will be confiscated and the driver must write another driving test to have their license reinstated.

Drivers in the capital believe anti-skid chains are crucial in mountainous areas.

Vakhtang Chitishvili: “Winter tires will be useful in the city since they will help you avoid several hazards.”

Malkhaz Gomareli: “Tyre replacement is pricey. I don’t think it’s required in Tbilisi, but it’s crucial outside of the city.”

Eka Laliashvili, Chairman of the Board of Georgian Alliance for Safe Roads, says “This is a solely European regulation aimed at improving road safety. This is one of the responsibilities of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.”

In due course, the government will define the zones and road sections where winter tires and anti-skid chains are required.

The bureau of the parliament has already recorded changes to the draft bill.