The Mountain law, which came into force in 2021, requires drivers to equip themselves with equipment to deal with winter conditions on the roads. After three years of tolerance, what about the obligation in Haute-Garonne?
46 Haut-Garonnaise municipalities are affected by the 2021 Mountain Law. The latter requires motorists to equip themselves with snow tires, all-season tires, snow chains or socks, to cross or travel in at-risk departments. The obligation applies between November 1 and March 31 of each year, with a certain tolerance until then. Little new thing in 2024: only certain categories of snow tires will be authorized.
3PMSF tires, a new obligation
Since November 1, 2024, only 3PMSF approved snow tires (for Three peak mountain snow flake) are admitted as equivalence to chains. The latter are signified by a logo of a snowflake and a mountain. The M+S marking (for Mud + Snow) alone is no longer authorized. Drivers can always use other snow tires, when accompanied by chains. According to the Ministry of the Interior, “the 3PMSF marking is the only guarantee of winter performance in all conditions”, because “it is based on a standardized European tire traction performance test”. If the prefectures remain, even today, tolerant regarding the absence of this equipment, motorists must exercise vigilance and caution in exposed areas.
It should be noted that a tire marked “M+S” may not be 3PMSF approved, while the reverse is impossible. © Zigmunds Dizgalvis/Shutterstock
Which municipalities are affected in Haute-Garonne?
Here is the list of 46 municipalities for which snow equipment is compulsory in winter:
- Antignac
- Argut-Below
- Artigue
- Bachos
- Bagnères-de-Luchon
- The bar
- Benque-Dessous-et-Dessus
- Bezins-Garraux
- Billière
- Binos
- Bourg-d'Oueil
- Boutx
- Burgalays
- Castillon-de-Laboust
- Cathervielle
- Caubous
- Cazaril-Laspènes
- Cazaux-Layrisse
- Cazeaux-de-Larboust
- Cier-de-Luchon
- Cires
- Garin
- Gouaux-de-Larboust
- Gouaux-de-Luchon
- in the heart
- Sir
- Jurvielle
- Juzet-de-Luchon
- Lège
- Mayrègne
- Melles
- Montauban-de-Luchon
- Moustajon
- Mr
- Portet-d'Aspet
- Portet-de-Luchon
- Poubeau
- Razecueillé
- Saccourvielle
- Saint-Aventin
- Saint-Mamet
- Saint-Paul-d'Oueil
- Salles-et-Pratviel
- Signac
- In the garden
- Trébons-de-Luchon
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