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Road safety campaigners have expressed concern about the Government's failure to give motorists accurate advice about the benefits of winter tyres.
Tyre safety organisation TyreSafe slammed Philip Hammond, secretary of state for transport, for a "lack of understanding about the added safety benefits of winter weather tyres".
In the House of Commons last week, Hammond said: "Winter tyres wear out very quickly on normal road surfaces and cause significant damage to those surfaces, so they would not be appropriate in the UK."
But Stuart Jackson, TyreSafe boss, said Hammond's comments showed "a complete lack of understanding about modern winter tyres, which are the ideal solution to the type of weather we are experiencing".
He added that studless winter tyres provided better grip in all winter conditions, not just on compacted snow, and did not damage road surfaces.
Road safety body RoadSafe reinforced the message that winter tyres improve grip in wet, cold, icy and snowy conditions.
Director Adrian Walsh urged the UK Government to follow the lead of Germany and Austria and make the tyres a legal requirement in winter.
"Road safety and motor groups in Britain, including Roadsafe, TyreSafe and the SMMT recommend UK drivers follow the continent's example and fit them in autumn and winter.
Motoring groups have also hit out at reports that insurance companies have hiked premiums for motorists fitting winter tyres by classifying them as a vehicle modification.
Motoring website Honest John accused such insurers of "ruthless profiteering".
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