‘Winter tires are ignored, especially in the Randstad’

Only about 29 percent of Dutch motorists drive on winter tires in the winter, according to research by Autoverzekering.nl. A slightly smaller percentage even continue to drive on summer tires during the coldest season. The vast majority, 46 percent, drive on all-season tires in winter (and logically also in summer). Young drivers, up to 34 years old, are clearly less likely to prefer winter tires than drivers over 34 years old. Only 21.8 percent of the young generation opt for winter tires, compared to 39 percent of the older ones.

There are also clear regional differences. For example, people in the Randstad clearly have less need for winter tires than in various eastern and southern parts of our country. In the three major municipalities, Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, only 8.5 percent opt ​​for winter tires. In Overijssel, Gelderland, Flevoland, Zeeland, North Brabant and Limburg the percentage rises to 25.4 percent. Jerry Poel, car insurance expert at Autoverzekering.nl, finds it particularly striking that a significant number of motorists still drive on summer tires in the winter. “We know from research that it is safer to drive on winter tires in the winter. The braking distance is a lot shorter below 8 degrees with winter tires compared to summer tires. All-weather tires are a good second option, good to see that a fairly large group of Dutch people also ride there.”