On Monday, the Grand Ducal Police will launch its annual winter controls of motorised vehicles. However, those who fail to comply with regulations will not be fined right away.

Although the weather forecast for the coming days promises blue skies and mild temperatures, autumn has definitely arrived in Luxembourg. Nights are getting longer, mornings are getting mistier, and humidity leads to slippery roads across the country.

On Monday, police will thus launch the latest campaign of their annual winter controls: 'Winter Time 2022'

Checks of motorised vehicles will be made all over the Grand Duchy from 17 October to late December 2022. Authorities will primarily focus on two winter safety aspects: proper visibility and adequate technical state of the vehicle.

"In fact, these two aspects play a crucially important role for the safety of road users", explain police. "Vigilance is therefore required on the part of both drivers and pedestrians, as poor visibility is a major factor in accidents for all types of users."

Authorities further warn that "cold, frost, and reduced light can complicate driving conditions. In light of bad weather conditions, it is therefore important to ensure that your vehicle is in good technical condition, for example with regards to tyres and lighting."

Five days to comply with regulations

RTL

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In case of malfunctioning vehicle lights, drivers will not be fined during the preventive phase, which lasts from 17 to 18 October. Instead, they will be granted a five-day deadline to comply with regulations. The offender must report to a police station within those five days so that authorities can verify that issues have been resolved.

Failure to do so will result in a taxed warning or a ticket being issued, emphasise police.

Further advice from the police

  • See and be seen: In terms of general road safety, it is essential that drivers are vigilant and ensure that they can see what is going on around them, which necessitates functioning lights and clear windows. Similarly, pedestrians, runners, and cyclists should ensure that they are visible to other road users, even from a distance.
  • Technical state of the vehicle: Vehicles have to be in perfect shape. Depending on the weather, tyres must be adjusted and a clear field of vision must be guaranteed.
  • Safety distance and driving style: Finally, it is important to keep sufficient distance from the vehicle in front and adapt one's driving style to the weather conditions. Also, speed limits should be respected at all times.