Why is it needed?
The primary function of this symbol is to warn other road users that the distance from the start of braking to a complete stop for this vehicle is now much shorter, so the distance should be increased.
The requirement to install a special sign appeared back in the days when studded tires were rare. This was really necessary, since such cars stopped faster than the main stream, which caused an increase in the number of accidents.
Another important fact was the spikes flying out from under the wheels and hitting the windshield of the car behind. Therefore, the emergence of a requirement to notify about the features of your car is a logical and justified step.
Why is the “Spikes” sign needed?
The "Spikes" sign is required for:
- Warnings for cars driving behind that the tires are studded and the braking distance will be shorter. This should be a signal for them to keep a longer distance.
- Informing other drivers that spikes can fly out (with low-quality products), which should indicate to them that they must maintain the permissible distance.
- Determining who is at fault for a traffic accident.
Advice : the “Ш” sign can be a key argument in determining who is at fault for an accident. There are times when the driver who is driving first suddenly brakes, and the second one, not expecting such an action, does not have time to react and drives into his bumper. If the first car does not have the “Spikes” sign, and it drives on studded tires, the blame can be divided equally or even shifted entirely onto the shoulders of the first driver, since the second one could not correctly calculate the safe distance.
Is a traffic sign required?
Many drivers, especially beginners, are concerned about the question of whether the use of the corresponding symbol is required by law or whether it is possible to do without it. In Russian regulatory documents you can find instructions on whether the “Spikes” sign is required.
According to the rules, the motorist is obliged to ensure traffic safety not only for his car, but also for its other participants.
Clause 2.3. The driver of the vehicle is obliged to: Clause 2.3.1. Before leaving, check and ensure that the vehicle is in good technical condition while on the road in accordance with the Basic Regulations for permission to operate and the responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety.
Since Government Decree No. 333 of March 24, 2021 included the “Spikes” sign on the list of faults, this prohibits operation if there is no identification mark on the vehicle. Thus, its installation is mandatory.
However, on November 29, 2021, the government signed a decree that cancels this obligation. This decision is explained by the fact that the sign has lost its relevance. On December 8, 2018, the changes came into force. Now you can drive without the “Spikes” sign without consequences.
Is the "Spikes" sign required or not?
Until recently, motorists installed the “Ш” sign at will. But since April 4, 2017, after amendments were made to the traffic rules, the situation has changed dramatically. From now on, the “Spikes” sign becomes mandatory.
Important : the number of damages and malfunctions for which the vehicle is not allowed to be operated includes the absence of the “Ш” plate. When stopping and checking a car, a traffic police officer will definitely pay attention to this aspect (and may even fine you if you use studded tires without a specialized sign).
The question arises: when exactly should such a sign be hung? As soon as the driver changes the tires to studded ones, he immediately needs to be secured. Today, rules and deadlines for replacing summer tires with winter tires have been introduced. In the off-season, it is quite difficult to understand exactly which vehicle is moving. Therefore, so that the driver driving behind can correctly calculate the braking distance and choose a safe distance, you need to warn him about using studded tires.
Standards according to GOST
Like any other, the “Spikes” sign must also comply with GOST and requirements.
Sticker size
The shape should be a triangle with equal sides. Side length is at least 20 centimeters. The width of the red border should be one tenth of the length of the triangle, which is equal to two centimeters.
The presence on a car of a sticker with the symbol “Ш” that does not meet the standard, that is, of a smaller size, will be considered by the state inspector as its absence and may fine the driver.
There is no mandatory condition under which the sign must be manufactured in production. It is quite possible to simply download and print the form, always in color.
Where is it hung?
There are no regulations for the placement of stickers. Whether it is necessary to hang the “Spikes” sign specifically on the rear window is not stated anywhere. But according to the Basic Provisions, it must be attached to the back of the car so that drivers following this car can clearly see the symbol.
There are also no restrictions regarding where to stick the sign - on the outside or on the inside of the glass. If the rear window is tinted, then the designation, of course, will be stuck on the outside. If it is transparent, then a sticker or a printed version can be attached to the inside with suction cups - enough for more than one year.
If you stick it with tape, it will leave marks on the glass, which are difficult to remove later, and the sticker will become unsuitable for further use.
Experts advise placing the triangle in the upper left corner of the rear window - it will be clearly visible to drivers behind, and it will not limit visibility.
It is necessary to take into account that by placing the “Ш” designation outside the wiper blade operating area, there is a risk that it will not be visible due to adhering snow or dirt. And if you install it in places where water flows, it will very quickly become unusable and come off.
Sign of thorns where to glue according to the rules
It must hang on the back of the car and be visible to other road users - this is the only requirement of the rules.
In addition, the following conditions must be met:
- You can attach it to glass from the inside, outside (if the glass is tinted), to an awning, body, bumper or any other place. It is advisable to choose a higher place so that the sticker is visible to everyone. There is no need to stick the sign on the front - the presence of spikes does not affect the drivers ahead.
- Other drivers should be able to see the sticker from a distance of up to 20 meters.
Please note: if the sign is smaller or not visible to traffic participants, traffic police officers will consider that it does not exist at all.
Responsibility for the absence of the “Spikes” sign
Currently, the legislation does not provide for any liability for the absence of the “Spikes” sign.
From 04/04/2017 to 08/12/2018, the traffic police inspector could issue a warning or issue a fine based on part 1 of article 12.5 of the Administrative Code.
The fine for not having a “Spikes” sticker on a car was 500 rubles.
1. Driving a vehicle in the presence of malfunctions or conditions under which, in accordance with the Basic Provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety, operation of the vehicle is prohibited, with the exception of malfunctions and conditions specified in parts 2-7 of this article - entails a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine in the amount of five hundred rubles.
In addition, the traffic inspector could prohibit further movement of the car until the driver corrects the problem, that is, the sticker does not appear on the rear window of the car.
Liability could also arise in the event of an accident if another vehicle rear-ends a car with studded tires without an identification symbol. The fault could be found mutual, since there was no warning sign indicating a shortened braking distance.
What does the “Ш” sign on a car mean?
In winter, ice makes it difficult for pedestrians to move around. And although the roads are sprinkled with sand and other reagents every year, it is very difficult to drive in some places. That is why summer tires are replaced by winter ones, which, in turn, are divided into several types:
- studded;
- with grooved protectors;
- combined.
Universal tires for all seasons are also available for sale, but only residents with mild climates can use them. For the harsh Russian winter, purchasing winter tires is a must.
Important : if the car has studded tires, installing the “Ш” sign is mandatory.
This sign has a triangular shape with an upward angle with a red border. The letter “Ш” is printed on a white background. The length of each side of the figure should not be less than 20 cm, and the width of the red border should not be less than 1/10 of the length of the side.
FAQ
Since amendments are periodically made to the legislation of the Russian Federation, motorists have a number of related questions regarding the use of the “Ш” sign.
What are the legal dimensions of a "Spikes" sticker?
The "Ш" sign must have the following parameters:
- shape - equilateral triangle;
- the size of each side is not less than 20 cm;
- background – white;
- edging – red with a width of 1/10 of the length of the side, that is, not less than 2 cm;
- the letter "Ш" is black, located in the center.
Is it possible to make the “Ш” sign yourself?
After this sticker became mandatory, there was a buzz about it in every city. Therefore, today not every car retail outlet can find it. Moreover, the cost in some places even exceeds the fine for its absence.
You can make a sign yourself (at least temporarily), but you must strictly comply with the given parameters. Many drivers download the template and print it on a color printer. Residents of large cities can simply contact a private company with such a template, where signs and stickers are produced in a few minutes.
Is it possible to pass inspection without the “Spikes” badge?
You can pass the inspection without the “Ш” plate if the driver does not use studded tires. Therefore, if you decide to undergo such a procedure in the summer or even in winter, but choose tires with grooved treads, the “Spikes” sticker will not be needed. When using studs on tires, it will not be possible to pass a technical inspection without the “Ш” sign, since this requirement is mandatory when driving on the road.
Is there any responsibility for using the "Ш" sign in the summer?
There is no legal ban on driving with a “Spikes” sign in the summer, so there are no fines. This means that if the sign is not peeled off when replacing tires with summer ones, no one will punish such a motorist. It is not at all necessary to suffer and peel it off in order to return it back after six months (or even after 3-4 months). In practice, most car enthusiasts do this. What could this lead to? Yes, only to the fact that other cars will keep their distance while driving (suddenly the car actually drives on studded tires in the summer), and this will only help protect yourself from unnecessary troubles and dangerous situations on the road.
The “Ш” sign when using studded tires is now mandatory and applies to all vehicles without exception. A traffic police officer has the right to fine you 500 rubles in his absence. You can buy such a sticker at any auto store that sells car accessories. But due to the hype, not all points have them on sale. In this case, you can make the sign yourself, at least temporarily, adhering to the given parameters and recommendations.
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