Skiing holiday-makers risk fines, being left stranded and accidents

British motorists planning to visit French ski resorts should be prepared if they are to avoid hefty fines, having to abandon their vehicles or risking a serious road accident.

Snow chains and other safety travel items are a legal requirement for motorists visiting French ski resorts. Last year British holiday-makers caused havoc on roads leading to popular resorts – resulting in some of them never making it onto the ski slopes.

Several accidents involving British motorists were reported as holiday-makers headed up the French Alps whilst other holiday-makers abandoned vehicles and tried to find alternative transport in an effort to reach their accommodation. The French police make it quite clear to motorists – be prepared or suffer the consequences.

Mail order specialist Car Parts Direct provides a ‘Three-minute Snow Chain Kit.’ As the name suggests the kit is claimed to be easy to fit and costs £59.00 for vehicles with wheel sizes up to 14” and £79.00 for those with wheel sizes of 15” or over. The company offers a unique guarantee to refund half the cost of an unused snow chain kit against a replacement set for next year, should the owner decide to change their vehicle.

A complete ‘European Travel Kit’ is also available which includes all the legal motoring items required by motorists when driving anywhere in Europe. The kit includes a complete bulb and fuse kit, headlamp deflectors, fire extinguisher, GB sticker, first aid kit, warning triangle and fluorescent breakdown vest. Also included in the kit is an emergency tyre fix which, whilst not being a legal requirement, is recommended as nearly ten percent of breakdowns are due to a flat tyre – and changing a wheel on an icy mountain road at sub-zero temperatures is definitely best avoided.

The complete ‘European Travel Kit’ is packed in a special compact holder with Velcro backing to store and secure neatly in the boot. The complete kit costs £69.00.

The ‘Three-minute Snow Chain Kit’ and the ‘European Travel Kit’ can be ordered as separate items or together with free delivery within the UK when ordered online – visit carparts-direct.co.uk.