"Local authorities should think twice before banning winter tires, according to a new study from the the national transport authority "The benefits of using winter tires in icy conditions are greater that we previously though," said Claes Tingvall head of traffic safety.

A number of city councils have brought in bans on cars with winter tires in some built up areas, in order to reduce the air pollution caused by bitumen particles released from the roads by the metal studded tires.

Tingvall says the bans may lead to more accidents, particularly in northern Sweden The transport authority has released a new study which shows that deadly accidents are cut by almost a half when cars use winter tires.

It also found that anti-brake locking systems can reduce the chances of a crash by almost a third"