Sticker "Ш" and the law
Update: the obligation to install the “Spikes” sign was canceled on December 8, 2021 due to relevant amendments to the traffic rules.
We offer an article with questions and detailed answers about the “Spikes” (“Sh”) sign, relevant for 2021. From this article you will learn what the fine is for the absence of this sign, where to attach it correctly, what loopholes there are to drive without this sticker, what size the “Spikes” sign should be, the requirements for it and all the subtleties of the car law about this notorious triangle. And at the end of the article you can listen to its text in the video (the very first video).
So, recently, traffic police inspectors began to actively find fault with the absence of the “Ш” sticker, to the point of intimidating drivers about guilt in the event of an accident when a moving car drives into it from behind, and the first one does not have this sign. However, the authors of this “tale” are not the traffic police. In 2021, a fine was introduced for the absence of this sign, although even before that, the formal absence of punishment did not prevent traffic police officers from “divorcing” drivers from getting a fine for the “Spikes” sign.
However, let's talk about everything in order!
Is the "Spikes" sign required for 2019?
Yes, required. At the same time, the obligation to glue it is directly prescribed by the traffic rules, which we must know. To be more precise, the appendix to this regulatory act called “Basic provisions for vehicle approval,” paragraph 8 of which instructs you and me to do the following:
8. The following identification marks must be installed on vehicles: . “Spikes” - in the form of an equilateral triangle of white color with the top up with a red border, into which the letter “Ш” is inscribed in black (the side of the triangle is at least 200 mm, the width of the border is 1/10 of the side) - on the back of motor vehicles with studded tires tires;
We are required to install winter tires in the winter months: December, January and February (regions have the right to change the obligatory period). This is already bequeathed to us by the Technical Regulations. There is also a fine for not having winter tires. Accordingly, if we install studded tires during these months, we are required to stick on the “Spikes” sign.
Is a sign required if Velcro is installed?
As can be seen from the quote above, the obligation to stick a sign is provided only for owners of studded tires. If you install Velcro for the winter, then you have no responsibility for the “Spikes” sticker.
The “L” sign or similar, which would oblige the owners of the Velcro to put up the corresponding sign, has also not yet been invented.
Is the "Sh" sign necessary if the spikes have come out?
It’s a strange situation, but it’s impossible to formally issue a fine if the tires were essentially studded at one point, but the studs have all fallen off, because in this case the car is not classified as “having studded tires.” There is also no separate marking for studded tires, so the driver is not actually required to affix the “Spikes” sign.
What you need to know about the “Ш” sign and the new traffic rules
So, Day X has arrived: the snow has fallen, it’s time to change your shoes. Both pedestrians and drivers. And if the former do not have any problems with the law, the latter risk finding themselves in a very unpleasant situation.
From April 4, 2021, a new requirement for the operation of vehicles is in force in Russia - the “Spikes” sign on the rear window of a car if it has winter studded tires. Let's figure out what this requirement is, why it is needed and where to get these unfortunate stickers.
The first and most important thing to understand about the “spikes” sign is that it is now mandatory for everyone. According to government decree No. 333 of March 24, 2021, the absence of the “Ш” sign is a malfunction in which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited. So now, if you don’t have the coveted sticker, the traffic police inspector can issue you a fine of 500 rubles in accordance with clause 2.5, part 1 of the Administrative Code - failure to comply with the conditions for ensuring road safety.
But why is this necessary? The fact is that the braking distance of a car with studded tires is much shorter than that of a car with summer tires. According to the government, the sign will allow other drivers to take this factor into account and keep a respectful distance from you, avoiding your “unexpectedly” abrupt stop. In addition, situations with studs coming off the rubber are far from uncommon, as it might seem at first glance, and they happen quite often. So the sticker, again, will indicate to drivers a possible “surprise” in the windshield if they do not keep their distance.
It follows from this that if there is no “Ш” sign on the rear window, other drivers will not be able to accurately calculate your braking distance (many, however, cannot even with the sign). This means that if someone hits you in the ass, the inspector, without a moment’s doubt, admits the guilt is mutual, no matter how much you try to justify yourself by the need to keep your distance.
The sign should appear simultaneously with the studded tires themselves. Since in Russia the use of summer tires is not recommended from December to the end of February, we can assume that the absence of a sign in the winter months is guaranteed to threaten you with a showdown with the traffic police. However, when using Velcro, there is no need to glue any signs, just as there is no need to peel off the “spikes” sign in the summer - there is no liability for its presence in the absence of studded tires.
This is a new requirement, which, moreover, not all drivers know about.
Given the love of putting everything off until the last day, most drivers decided to buy a sign at the last moment - on the way to the tire repair shop. But, alas, an unpleasant surprise awaited them: it was almost impossible to buy stickers in Tula (and in any other city).
There are not enough stickers for everyone, the rush demand does not allow us to provide everyone with signs - the product is frankly in short supply. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you spend a few hours and look for the coveted “Ш” in Rospechat, at the post office, in supermarkets, in automobile or construction stores this coming weekend.
If luck doesn't smile on you, remember - at worst, you can make a sticker yourself.
Just don’t forget that there is also a GOST for it: the sides of the triangle are at least 200 mm, the width of the border is at least 1/10 of the sides of the triangle.
There is a lot of necessary information on this issue on the Internet, and there are also ready-made templates for printing. Fortunately, in Tula there are printing houses for all occasions that will be happy to help you.
By the way, inexperienced drivers will now also have to notify other road users about their experience. If your driving experience is less than two years, and there is no “Beginner Driver” sign on the window, be prepared for a fine. Similar requirements apply to signs: “Road train”, “Transportation of children”, “Deaf driver”, “Educational vehicle”, “Speed limit”, “Dangerous cargo”, “Large cargo”, “Slow-moving vehicle” and “Long vehicle” means".
What is the fine for the "Spikes" sign?
But a duty does not always mean a sanction for violating this duty. So, there is a violation for exceeding the speed by 5 km/h, for example, but there is no punishment. This was the case with the “Spikes” sticker until recently. The fact is that Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which provided for penalties for violations of appendices to traffic rules, referred only to the conditions prohibiting the operation of vehicles (Appendix No. 2). And the obligation to put up the “Spikes” sign is provided for in Appendix No. 1 (Basic provisions for vehicle approval).
Is it possible to be guilty of an accident if there is no “Spikes” sign?
What happens if you don’t have a “Spikes” sticker, provided you have studded tires, and another car drives into you from behind? Can he refer to your guilt (at least partial) since the sign was missing?
Hardly ever. But mutual guilt cannot be ruled out. In general, there will be no last one with a 99.9% probability. The reason here is simple, although there are violations of both participants in the accident. When identifying the culprit, the person examining the case (an official - a traffic police officer or a judge) determines the cause-and-effect relationship between the violations and the accident.
Obviously, it was the failure of the person driving behind to maintain the required distance that led to the accident, and not the lack of a “Spikes” sign for the person in front. This is obvious for two reasons:
- be that as it may, the distance according to traffic rules is a precedent concept, which means that until an accident occurs, it is safe; and if an accident occurred, then the distance was unsafe;
- and most importantly, nothing would have changed if the driver had a “Spikes” sign in front.
However, if the potential culprit nevertheless proves during an appeal that he would have kept a greater distance if the driver in front had the appropriate identification mark, then mutual guilt is not logically excluded. However, this has not yet happened in judicial practice until 2019 and is unlikely to happen in the future.
Correct placement of the "Spikes" sign
What the standard “Ш” sign should be is defined quite precisely. But the traffic rules are not very clear about the correct location of the “Spikes” sign on cars. Therefore, it is recommended to stick the “Spikes” sign on a passenger car on the rear window behind the driver. Here it will not interfere with the view, and will be perfectly visible. The “Ш” sticker is usually placed on the outside of the glass. In this version, it costs a penny, and removing/sticking it is much easier.
Well, if you have a minivan, minibus or SUV, then look at where to stick it so that the letter “W” in the red triangle is clearly visible to those driving behind. I think this is a height of one and a half meters above the asphalt.
What if you put a sign behind tinted glass?
Formally, and this is not prohibited. Literally, traffic rules require sticking a “Spikes” sign on the glass at the back of the car. But nowhere is it indicated that it should be glued only from the outside (moreover, stickers are sold, the adhesive side of which is intended for gluing from the inside), that it should be visible at all.
But such a loophole as hiding the “Spikes” sign from the traffic police and other road users will suit you if you really want problems with the former, since in fact, the only purpose of the “Sh” sign is to ensure road safety by warning other participants that you have studded tires (you can debate for a long time why you should warn them, but alas, this is an obligation).
Below on the page you can download an image of the “Spikes” sign so that you can print it yourself.
Is it necessary to glue
With the onset of winter, the road situation changes for the worse, forcing drivers to take measures to ensure normal travel conditions. Among these measures is the installation of tires equipped with metal studs, which improve the grip of the rubber on a slippery surface.
The driver must warn pedestrians and other road users that the car has studded tires using a special “Spikes” sign.
This requirement is dictated, first of all, by safety considerations, since stones can fly out from under the wheels with studs, during operation the studs can come off the tires, the length of the braking distance of a car equipped with wheels with studded tires changes, which often becomes the cause of an accident .
The use of the “Spikes” sign is regulated by government document No. 1090 dated October 23, 1993 (as amended on February 13, 2018) “On Traffic Regulations” together with the “Basic provisions for the admission of vehicles to operation and the responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety.”
Paragraph 8 of this Regulation prescribes that the “Tires” sign must be installed at the rear of a mechanical vehicle equipped with studded tires. Thus, if your car has tires with studs, the “Spikes” sign must be affixed in 2021.
It should be said that, in addition to the “Spikes” sign, this document obliges car owners to install the appropriate signs on their vehicles, if necessary:
- representing a road train;
- transporting children;
- with a deaf driver;
- used for educational purposes;
- transporting dangerous goods;
- engaged in the transportation of large-sized cargo;
- which belong to the categories of low-speed or long-length;
- driven by a novice driver.
The “Doctor” and “Disabled” signs are pasted at the car owner’s own request.
Description, dimensions and parameters of the “Spikes” sign according to GOST
The sign is in the form of an equilateral triangle with the letter “Ш” inside in the center. Red border and black and white inner area. According to GOST, the parameters and dimensions of the “Spikes” sign should be as follows:
- 1. The border of the triangle should be red, the inner area should be white, the letter “W” should be black;
- 2. The side of the triangle is at least 20 centimeters;
- 3. The width of the red border is 1/10 of the length of the side of the triangle. (That is, for example, 2 centimeters with a triangle side length of 20 centimeters)
Has the “Spikes” sign been canceled or not?
In May 2021, a draft law was initiated to abolish the mandatory placement of a sign on vehicles. This was motivated by the fact that the requirement itself has long been morally outdated, since both the cars themselves and their technical characteristics have changed greatly over the past decades. However, despite the fact that many members of the press perceived this bill as already approved, as of the end of November 2021, it was still pending and was pending. And only on December 8, 2018, the “Spikes” sign was officially canceled after the relevant resolution came into force.
What if I have Velcro and in the warm season?
If you do not use studded tires, then the presence of this identification mark on your car is not necessary. As for the seasonal factor, the only rule you need to remember is that the corresponding sign on the car must appear simultaneously with the installation of studded wheels on it.
Related links: Review of the database of enforcement proceedings by bailiffs
It is worth remembering that the use of summer tires in the Russian Federation is prohibited by law in the winter season, as is driving on studded tires in the summer. The rest of the year is left to the discretion of the drivers themselves, who must be guided by local weather conditions. In addition, regional officials, taking into account the climatic conditions of the area, can, by their local laws, increase or shorten the period of operation of summer and winter tires. After all, everyone understands that the duration of winter in the Stavropol Territory and in Chukotka is completely different.
Changes in the rules for transporting children in a car from July 2017
Location
Before explaining what the “Spikes” sign should be, let’s look at where the sticker should be placed. According to the rules, the paper sign must be stuck on the rear of the vehicle. There are no additional explanations in the traffic rules regarding whether it is inside or outside, from the side, from below or from above. That is, it is allowed to stick the badge on the back door, on the trunk lid, and on the bumper. According to statistics, most motorists prefer to place the “Ш” indicator on the outside of the rear window.
Choosing a location for installing the “Spikes” sign
When choosing a location, you should take into account that the “Spikes” sign is installed only during the operation of studded tires, according to the rules from December to February, and when it is changed to a summer one, the sign will need to be removed. Local authorities, depending on the climate zone, have the right to extend this period of time.
If you install a self-adhesive sign on the inside of the rear window, from my point of view this is the best place; the sticky layer will lie on the heating threads, which are also glued to the surface of the glass. With repeated heating and cooling of the threads, it is quite possible that the sticky layer holding the sign may stick and subsequently, when removing it, these threads can be damaged. Therefore, I immediately postponed this option.
In winter, the outside of the rear window is often covered with ice and it may be necessary to remove it with a scraper. In this case, the sign can be easily damaged. If you stick a sign on the bumper or other place on the back of your car, then as a result of driving through melted, dirty snow, the sign will become covered with dirt and become unreadable.
But there is an optimal solution - installing a “Spikes” sign on the inside of the rear window using suction cups. In this case, the sign will always be clearly legible, it will not need to be scraped off in the spring, it can be used many times and the glass heating filaments will be safe. The “Spikes” sign on suction cups is sold in car dealerships, but it’s much nicer to make it yourself from scrap material.
Sticker dimensions according to GOST
The state standard provides a clear explanation of what the “Spikes” sign should be according to GOST. Here are the main parameters:
- the length of any side of the triangle is at least 20 cm;
- the width of the red edging strip along the edge is 1/10 of the size of the equilateral figure, but not less than 2 cm;
- background - only white, edging - only red;
- the letter Ш in the middle is printed, only in black.
Any unauthorized deviation from the norm is unacceptable and is a gross violation. Even if the badge is stuck on, but turns out to be smaller, the inspector will count it as missing and issue a fine legally. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy stickers at gas stations or souvenir stalls if they do not appear to meet the stated requirements. However, it is not forbidden to make such a badge yourself, by printing it on a printer or drawing it by hand.
Answers on questions
Many car owners do not strive to comply with the requirements of inspectors, considering the purchase and sticking of a sign to be nonsense. Usually such thoughts disappear after the first fine of 500 rubles is issued, especially considering that the average price of a sign is about 50 rubles.
Here are some current questions regarding the placement of the “Spikes” sign on cars in 2017-2018.
Question No. 1. In what months should studded tires be installed?
Answer: During the winter months, starting from December and ending in February, studs must be installed on the vehicle. Deadlines may vary depending on the region; all provisions are specified in the Technical Regulations.
Question No. 2. If I don’t put up spikes in winter, I don’t need a sign, do I?
Answer. Penalties are also imposed for the absence of studded winter tires on a car in winter. It is necessary to “re-shoe” the wheels and stick the “Ш” badge on the rear window.
Question No. 3. I don't have spikes on my wheels at all, but Velcro. Will there be anything for me for this?
Answer: Only owners of winter spikes are required to attach the “Ш” sign. Legislators have not yet come up with the “L” badge.
Question No. 4. All my thorns have fallen out due to old age, should I put on a sticker too? Or pay fines?
Answer: In this situation, everything depends on the inspector. Essentially, if the studs have fallen out, the tire is not technically considered studded. This means there is no need to put a sticker on it. But the case is controversial, so it’s better to replace the tires with new ones, it’s safer and calmer.
What does the spike sign inform road users about?
At first glance, this question may seem somewhat strange. However, it is important to remember that it not only simply informs other drivers that you have studded tires, but also warns them that the presence of studs on the wheels significantly reduces the braking distance of the car in front in slippery conditions. This means that the driver behind you must keep a greater distance to avoid crashing into your car when braking sharply.
Related links: Current rules for transporting children in a car in 2021
That's not all. Studded tires can be of very different quality, and therefore the studs may fly out from under the wheels of the car in front. Motorists following behind must be warned - if they do not want to get a hard object in the windshield, then they should stay away from the car with the spike sign.
