The “Dust Kills” campaign calls drivers to prefer all-season tires
Tallinn launched a campaign “Dust Kills”, which calls on drivers to prefer all-season tires in winter conditions and thus contribute to a cleaner living environment for themselves and their children.
According to Deputy Mayor Kalle Klandorf, many countries have recognised the need to limit the use of studded tires due to their harmful influence on the environment and human health. “The wear of roads and streets caused by studded tires pollutes urban air and also significantly shortens the lifespan of road surfaces,” Klandorf explained, adding that although the quality of Tallinn’s urban air is at the forefront of Europe, the effect of studded tires can be felt here. “With this campaign, we want to draw attention to the effect of the use of studded tires and how easy it is to actually prevent the damage it’s causing to our city and people.”
Studies show that street dust is linked to a number of health concerns and, unfortunately, a reduction in life expectancy. A study conducted in Helsinki revealed that 75 percent of street dust in the metropolitan area is caused by studded tires. Every spring in Tallinn, a total of approximately 5,500 cubic meters (i.e. more than 330 truckloads) of road surface particles are collected, which accumulate with the wear and tear caused by studded tires. As long as studded tires are used, the production of fine dust particles will continue.
The financial implications of the use of studded tires amount to millions of euros. A study by Tallinn University of Technology TalTech revealed that a decrease of 20 percent in the number of studded tire users in the capital alone could save 2.2 million euros from road repairs. Reducing the use of studded tires by one and a half months would mean savings of € 1.2 million per year. However, the price of the health effects of airborne particles in Estonia is approximately 380 million euros per year.
The same study also revealed one positive trend – more and more car owners have started to prefer all-season tires. While in previous censuses 69-77% of cars had studded tires, in 2020 it had dropped to an average of 61%. What also speaks in favour of all-season tires is that given road maintenance requirements, it is most common to drive on wet or dry asphalt, where the braking distance of all-season tires is shorter, and handling is better than on studs.
Winter tires can be used from 15 October to 31 March, it is obligatory from 1 December to 1 March. The use of all-season tires is permitted all year round, but due to the soft compound they are not recommended for the summer period.
The “Dust Kills” campaign has been run by the Tallinn Environment and Public Utilities Department since 2015.
Studies used:
• Joint research of the Institute of Health Care of the University of Tartu and the Environmental Research Centre (2011 and 2007)
• Helsinki Research Program NASTA 2011–2013 “Improved air quality with the use of all-season tires – without compromising road safety”
• Tallinn University of Technology survey 2020 (commissioned by Tallinn Environmental and Public Utilities Department)