As you may have noticed, this winter a triangle with the letter “W” began to appear more and more often on cars. This symbol means that the car has studded tires. Oddly enough, road safety directly depends on it, so the “Spikes” sign was always needed. Only if previously the presence of a sticker was on the conscience of drivers, then from 2021 the sign has become mandatory, and its absence is punishable by a fine.
In this article we will look at where to put the “Spikes” sign, why it is needed and what the law provides in this area, as well as the amount of monetary penalties and other popular issues.
Appearance and dimensions of the “Spikes” sign according to GOST
According to paragraph 8 of the regulations for the approval of a vehicle for operation, the “Ш” sign must satisfy a number of characteristics:
- The shape is an equilateral triangle.
- The main color is white, the border is red.
- In the center of the triangle there is a black letter “Ш”.
- Size: the base of the triangle is at least 20 cm, the width of the border should be 1/10 of the length of the side (at least 2 cm). The maximum size is not specified.
The modern market offers many alternative options for a sign: you can purchase the corresponding symbol in sticker format, in the form of a plate with suction cups or a magnet. The plate and magnet are easiest to remove after use, unlike the sticker, which still needs to be peeled off.
Installation of the Spikes sign according to traffic regulations
It was said above that the Studded Tires sign is necessary to warn other road users that the car is equipped with studded tires. The amendments to the traffic rules contain a rule stipulating that this sticker must be installed on the vehicle if the car has studded tires. The main purpose of putting a sign on a car is to warn drivers about the shortened braking distance and the need to maintain a maximum distance.
Where to glue
There is no strict standard for the placement of the badge, but the vehicle operating rules roughly indicate where to place the Spikes sign. The sticker should be placed on the rear window of the car (if we are talking about a passenger car), and it should be clearly visible to other road users. The exact location of the icon can be adjusted at your discretion and depending on the characteristics of the vehicle.
A motorist has the right to use not only a purchased badge, but also a homemade badge, which can be downloaded from the Internet and printed on a color printer. This attribute sticks well with double-sided tape, and the sign should be laminated first. There are other options for fixing the badge on the car, for example, using suction cups (then the triangle can be used many times and there will be no traces of glue left after removal).
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Dimensions of the sign according to GOST
If a car owner makes a triangle himself, he must adhere to certain traffic police requirements. According to GOST, the sign must:
- look like a white triangle with a red border and a black letter “Ш” in the center;
- be dense, for which the triangle is printed on special photographic paper (the optimal density indicator is 120-150);
- be glued in a place visible to other road users.
What are the dimensions of the Spikes sign according to GOST? Each cocked hat should be at least 20 centimeters, and the optimal width of the red frill is 10 times less than the side of the figure (at least 2 cm). As a rule, car dealerships sell stickers of the required size. There is no point in purchasing and gluing a small triangle, since legally it will not be considered valid, and the driver may be fined in this regard.
Can there be a fine for not having a “Spikes” sign?
The absence of a sign is considered a violation of Russian traffic regulations. In accordance with Article 12 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, failure to comply with this requirement entails a fine of five hundred rubles. Buying a sticker will definitely be cheaper.
A traffic police officer has the right to collect a fine if the sign:
- Not available for vehicles with winter tires.
- Its size and appearance are substandard.
- Positioned incorrectly - drivers following you cannot see it.
Car sign stickers
Today, many drivers prefer to use vinyl stickers to decorate their cars.
However, traffic rules require the strict use of certain stickers and symbols. This is due to ensuring safe traffic on the roads. Such mandatory sign stickers on cars include the “exclamation mark” (inexperienced driver), the “spikes” sign (studded winter tires) and the “disabled” sign (driver with disabilities). Recommendations may include the use of appropriate sign stickers in cases where children are in the vehicle. Indeed, along the way, situations may arise in which this information can become decisive, and, therefore, the risk of negative consequences will decrease. In addition, sign stickers are easily applied to the surface, and after removal they do not leave any traces. Accordingly, their use does not create additional problems.
Is a sign required?
Dmitry Medvedev has already signed a decree according to which the “Spikes” sticker can be affixed voluntarily from December 8, 2021, and there will no longer be fines for its absence. According to the Prime Minister, this sign has lost its relevance, and the dynamic characteristics of the car are now largely influenced by other factors.
Where can I get the sign?
An indicator indicating the presence of studded wheels on a car can be purchased in 2 ways:
- Buy at an office supply store or at specialized places that service cars;
- Do it yourself.
The cost of a sign in stores varies from 20 to 100 rubles. And if you don’t really want to buy it, you can use a red marker, a sheet of A4 paper and a printer.
To print the “Spikes” sign according to GOST, you can download it from the Internet or make it yourself using the “Insert” item in the Word program.
Let's take a closer look at how to make the “Spikes” sign yourself:
- Open Word or any other graphic editor, you can even use the online version;
- Go to the “Insert” tab;
- Select "Shapes";
- Drag the triangle onto the sheet, taking into account its required dimensions according to GOST (The sheet must be in a horizontal orientation);
- Drag the second triangle and place it inside the first. To do this, left-click on the geometric figure icon, then position the cursor in the desired location and stretch the triangle to the desired size.
To change the page layout from vertical to horizontal, use the Page Layout tab. Next, in the “Orientation” item, select the “Landscape” tab.
To send a document for printing, click on the circle with the program logo located in the upper left corner. To see what the “Ш” sign will look like, click the “Preview” button.
Or download a ready-made sample of the “Spikes” sign at the end of this article.
Video: How to easily make a “Spikes” sign
Based on a “runaway” sign, “Spikes” want to start an investigation
The fact that the Ministry of Internal Affairs proposed to abolish the mandatory requirement for the presence of a “Spikes” sign on the rear window of cars became known only recently. The initiative to abolish this norm was included in the next batch of amendments to the traffic rules, which were published on the federal portal of regulatory legal acts.
According to the authors of the bill, this norm is no longer relevant, since now the dynamic characteristics of a vehicle’s movement are determined using other factors, such as the design of the car, its load and the presence of electronic braking and stabilization systems. In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs believes that because of the sign on the rear window, the view from the driver’s seat becomes worse.
News / Compact van They don’t want to introduce a fine for out-of-season tires. The Duma Committee on Transport and Construction made a corresponding recommendation. 1518 0 13 05/15/2018
The requirement has been in effect for just over a year: owners of cars with studded tires began to be fined for not having a sticker in April 2017. That is, in fact, the requirement was relevant for only one winter season. The “issue price” is 500 rubles, or, for those who pay within 20 days from the date of the resolution, 250 rubles.
Let us remind you that the former head of the traffic police, Viktor Nilov, was dismissed at the end of March 2021. The current boss, Mikhail Chernikov, took over the post in June of the same year. That is, the rule on signs with the letter “Ш” came into force during the “shift change”.
As Izvestia reports with reference to the chairman of the society, Viktor Pokhmelkin, the Russian Motorists Movement has decided to initiate an investigation into the business on Spikes signs. At the same time, representatives agree that the norm should be abolished, however, in their opinion, it is necessary to find out where it came from and for what purpose.
He suggested that someone simply decided to make money by selling these signs. According to Viktor Pokhmelkin, the price of such a sign is 150 rubles (in fact, you can find it cheaper, but this does not change the essence). A representative of the automobile community explained that such a sticker was bought by millions of motorists throughout Russia, so this someone supposedly “snatched the jackpot.” He noted the fact that all the reasons now listed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for canceling the sign were known even when the introduction of the sticker was approved. In order to understand the situation, it is planned to begin investigations.
Meanwhile, the State Duma called for the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ proposal to be approached with caution. As “Spravoross” Mikhail Emelyanov told the Moscow agency, the presence of the sign in winter has proven its effectiveness, since thanks to this sticker the number of accidents on the roads has decreased. True, it is not entirely clear what kind of accident statistics the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on State Construction is relying on. If the overall decrease in the number of incidents is due to other factors, it is likely that other factors also contributed. Let us remind you that at the end of 2021, the accident rate in the Russian Federation decreased by 2.5% to 169,432 cases.
Is it necessary to put up a sign in winter 2021?
No, no longer necessary. Since the obligation to install a sign has been removed from the traffic regulations in force as of May 20, 2021.
Previously, at the same time, it was necessary to know several subtleties of the sticker, otherwise incorrect installation could be tantamount to the fact that it does not exist at all, and lead to a fine being issued:
- The “Ш” sign had to be glued to the back of the car, it was also possible in front, but in any case it also had to be on the back of the vehicle,
- there was no clear indication that it should be installed specifically on the rear window - only at the back of the car; this means that you could stick it on the bumper, the rear wall of the trunk, on the spare tire - even if it is inside, and so on,
- the minimum dimensions of the sticker were indicated - no less than 20 cm on each side of the triangle and no less than 1/10 - the width of the border: if the sign is smaller in size, then this is equivalent to the fact that it does not exist at all, and entails a fine, you can,
- the obligation to install was prescribed only for owners of studded tires - even if there is only one of them and even if you drive in the summer; if you have Velcro or every single spike has fallen out, then the obligation disappears (but remains if there is at least one spike).
Something else useful for you:
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What is the penalty for absence?
There is no fine for missing the “Ш” sign in the winter of 2021. Previously, before its abolition, it was 500 rubles under Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code. There was no repetition of this violation, just as there were no enforcement measures - evacuation and a ban on the operation of the car.
This fine could be paid with a 50% discount in the first 20 days from the date of the decision.
Stickers of "spike" signs on a car
The sticker of the “spikes” sign on the car is mandatory if winter studded tires are used on the vehicle’s wheels. The information this sign carries is very important for drivers of vehicles following behind it. Indeed, during operation, the “spikes” become loose in the holes of their fastening and can jump out at speed. To avoid accidents, cars following behind need to keep a safe distance.
In our online store, stickers with the “spikes” sign for cars are presented in a wide range. And you can get acquainted with the cost, availability in the warehouse and delivery times by clicking on the “Find out price” button in the window corresponding to the selected article and manufacturer.
Sign location
The place where the “Spikes” sign should be located is selected in the rear of the car . This is usually the top or bottom corner of the rear window.
If a sign interferes with visibility, it can be placed on the bumper or trunk of a car.
The main requirement is the visibility of the sign so that the driver is not stopped again by traffic police officers.
This installation of the “Spikes” sign according to the traffic rules is the most optimal.
Where to glue the Spikes Sign according to the rules in 2021
Was the thorns sign abolished or not in 2021, is there a fine for not having a thorns sign, where to put the sticker.
Starting from April 2021, some changes have appeared in the existing traffic rules of the Russian Federation regarding the location of mandatory signs on vehicles. Where should such a Spikes sign be attached, what is the reason for such an innovation, and what fines can a vehicle owner expect if he ignores this mandatory requirement that has already come into effect?
