(CS) Luxembourg's Automobile Club is offering free checks of tyres and headlights in October and November to help promote road safety as autumn approaches.

With daylight hours decreasing and many people commuting to and from work in the darkness, functional lights are important for drivers – not just to see better, but also to be seen by other motorists and road users.

While winter tyres, or all-weather tyres, are obligatory only in conditions of snow and ice, according to a rule of thumb it is recommended to have them on between October and Easter.

The tyre tread for winter tyres needs to measure at least 1.6mm by law. However, ACL recommends 4mm to improve grip.

Drivers caught without the proper tyres can be fined between 49 and 74 euros. In severe cases, police can prohibit the motorist to continue their journey. Around 10 percent of drivers are thought to drive with summer tyres year-round.

On weekdays between November 3 and 14, ACL is offering free checks of tyres and lights at its centre in Betrange, between 8.30am and 12pm, and again from 1pm to 6pm.

Check-points will also be available to all motorists at the following locations over the course of the month:

• October 20: Cactus Ingeldorf

• October 21 & 22: Cactus Bascharage

• October 23: Cactus Howald

• October 24: Cactus Echternach

• October 27 & 28: Cactus Kayl

• October 30: Cactus Redange

• October 31: Knauf Pommerloch

The mobile stations will be open from 10am to 6pm.

As weather conditions worsen, impairing visibility through fog, rain and fewer daylight hours, motorists are also urged to drive cautiously and keep their eyes on the road. At the same time pedestrians and cyclists are called upon to wear appropriate clothing or reflectors to be better visible in traffic.