Belgian roads can turn into ice rinks the moment a dusting of snow appears, yet federal Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke sees no need to force everyone into winter tyres. In a recent interview on RTBF Radio, he made it clear: he’s not about to burden citizens with extra expenses for something that rarely happens in our famously flat country. Snow? It doesn’t fall often enough to make tyre swapping compulsory, he argues. Instead, he suggests a smarter solution: let the Vias traffic institute figure out which roads could temporarily be declared off-limits to cars without proper rubber when conditions turn nasty. Practical on paper, but it does raise a few eyebrows about road safety.
Here’s the reality check. Belgium remains one of the last European countries where winter tyres are still entirely optional. In Germany, France or Austria, they’ve been mandatory for years during the cold months or whenever the temperature drops below 7 °C. Over here? Nothing of the sort. The government recommends them, and rightly so: winter tyres grip better on cold tarmac, shorten stopping distances and stop your car turning into an unwilling toboggan. Even all-season tyres, decent as they are, don’t always match proper winter rubber. After the recent cold snap – sliding cars, gridlocked traffic and stranded commuters – the debate has flared up again.
That said, Crucke has a valid point about the cost. A decent set of winter tyres easily runs into several hundred euros, plus the hassle of swapping them twice a year. In a country whose highest “mountain” barely scrapes 694 metres – step forward Signal de Botrange – we don’t get Alpine-style snow every winter. But is that really an excuse to push safety down the priority list? Picture those chaotic mornings after a snowfall: endless queues, minor crashes everywhere and drivers stuck for hours. Full compulsion might be overkill, but a stronger nudge wouldn’t hurt. Crucke doesn’t want to nanny people, and fair enough – nobody likes extra rules. Still, when it comes to braking, literally, a bit of caution never goes amiss.
And let’s spare a moment for electric cars, because they deserve a special mention here. With instant torque and a low centre of gravity, EVs already handle beautifully on dry roads. In winter? Good winter tyres are the difference between gliding confidently through bends and an unexpected spin. They help preserve battery range through better grip and reduce wear on the drivetrain. If you’re going electric, do it properly: pair it with tyres that can handle the cold. It’s safer, and frankly far more enjoyable – no clunky gear changes, just smooth, silent power that carries you through the frost without drama.
In the end, it’s about striking a balance: freedom for drivers, tempered with a gentle reminder of responsibility. Crucke’s idea of closing certain roads in bad weather could be a sensible middle ground, provided the information flows quickly and enforcement actually happens. What do you think? Should winter tyres be compulsory, or is a polite recommendation enough? The discussion is wide open, and with Belgium’s unpredictable weather, it isn’t going away.
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