Winter Tyres at Xpress

It's not just when it snows that dedicated seasonal rubber makes sense; our climate from November to March justifies using them, because whether roads are wet, frosty, icy or just dry and cold, winter tyres improve safety, reduce driver stress and help to protect no-claims bonuses, too.

It's just a shame that the woefully inefficient and sleepy British insurance industry has yet to wake up to the obvious accident-prevention qualities of winter tyres that, it should be noted, are compulsory in some mainland European countries and in other parts of the world.

At 45F (7C) or less, winter tyres help to increase traction and reduce stopping distances. On average, most of Britain is this cold or colder for much of winter, according to the Met Office.

It's true that, as a general rule, winter tyres currently cost about

25 per cent more than conventional rubber. But the more of us who buy them, the greater the economies of scale, the fiercer the price competition among rival tyre retailers and the more affordable they will eventually become