Seasonal changes to the Road Traffic Rules: drivers will be able to drive faster on motorways and highways, but will always have to drive at a safe speed
The State Enterprise Lithuanian Road Administration informs about seasonal changes to the Road Traffic Rules: from April 1, a summer tire season begins, and drivers can drive at a higher maximum permitted speed on motorways and highways.
From April to October 31, operating vehicles with studded tires is prohibited. Drivers who drive cars with winter studded tires must by April 1 replace them with summer tires. It is recommended to use summer tires during the warm period. Before using these tires, it is necessary to check their tread depth – the minimum tread depth limit for summer tires is 1.6 mm. However, it is advisable to choose tires with a tread depth of 3-4 mm. A tread of this depth will prevent the car from aquaplaning during the rain, and, thanks to it, the car will not become unmanageable and will not start to slip.
We also remind that from April 1 to October 31, the prohibition to use motor vehicles and their trailers, mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles and trailers with summer tires does not apply. Please note that operating mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles, quadricycles of all types with summer tires during the period between December and February is prohibited, also during the period between March and November, if at least part of the carriageway, on which driving takes place, is covered with snow or ice.
One more seasonal change – the maximum permissible speed of driving on motorways and expressways is increasing. The permissible driving speed on motorways is no more than 130 km/h for passenger cars, heavy goods vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes, motorcycles and tricycles, and on highways – no more than 120 km/h. The driving speed on other roads with asphalt or concrete surface does not change – it remains 90 km/h. The permissible speed of driving on other roads also remains unchanged – 70 km/h.
New drivers (with less than 2 years of driving experience) can drive on motorways at a speed of 100 km/h, on highways – at a speed of 90 km/h, and on the roads with an asphalt or concrete surface – at a speed of 80 km/h.
Although the maximum permissible speed of driving on motorways and highways increases, it is always important to drive at a safe speed which is lower than the maximum permitted speed. In deciding at what speed to drive, a driver must take into account the driving conditions, especially the terrain of the location, the road and vehicle condition, the meteorological conditions as well as traffic intensity.