When the Rubber Meets the Road in Winter, Make Sure the Rubber Meets The Specs
By 250 News
Thursday, October 14, 2010 03:52 AM
Prince George, B.C.- RCMP say they are already noticing that some drivers are getting set for winter by having good winter grip tires on their vehicles. For those who haven’t thought about it, police are passing along a reminder.
Collision data indicates that the fall and winter seasons are when motorists tend to speed and drive too fast for road conditions. The data shows that 43.57 % of fatal and injury motor vehicle collisions are caused by drivers driving at an unsafe speed or speeding relative to road conditions.
All-season tires are not recommended for winter driving.
- snow tires provide better traction and braking in deep snow
- snow tires provide greater stability and control on slushy roads
- using snow tires on all four wheels of your vehicle allows for more effective acceleration, braking and cornering
- some winter tires have features that allow for better grip on ice
- snow tires provide greater stability and control on slushy roads
- using snow tires on all four wheels of your vehicle allows for more effective acceleration, braking and cornering
- some winter tires have features that allow for better grip on ice
Tires marked with the pictograph of a peaked mountain with a snowflake meet specific snow traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.
At law,...what is a winter tire?
At law,...what is a winter tire?
Motor Vehicle Act - Section 208 states:
208 (1) For the purpose of this section, "winter tire" means a tire that is
(a) advertised or represented by its manufacturer or a person in the business of selling tires to be a tire intended principally for winter use, and that provides, or is designed to provide, adequate traction in snow or mud; and
(b) in the condition respecting tread wear and other particulars the regulations prescribe.
(2) The Minister of Transportation and Highways may, by public notice or by placing signs, prohibit vehicles from being driven or operated on a highway that are not equipped with chains, winter tires or sanding devices, or a combination of these the minister considers adequate and necessary in view of prevailing road conditions.
(3) For the purposes of a prosecution under this section, the onus is on the defendant to prove that a tire alleged not to be a winter tire is in fact a winter tire.
(a) advertised or represented by its manufacturer or a person in the business of selling tires to be a tire intended principally for winter use, and that provides, or is designed to provide, adequate traction in snow or mud; and
(b) in the condition respecting tread wear and other particulars the regulations prescribe.
(2) The Minister of Transportation and Highways may, by public notice or by placing signs, prohibit vehicles from being driven or operated on a highway that are not equipped with chains, winter tires or sanding devices, or a combination of these the minister considers adequate and necessary in view of prevailing road conditions.
(3) For the purposes of a prosecution under this section, the onus is on the defendant to prove that a tire alleged not to be a winter tire is in fact a winter tire.
Motor Vehicle Act Regulations- Section 7.162 states:
7.162 A winter tire as defined in section 208 of the Act shall have not less than 3.5 mm of tread depth across the surface of the tire in contact with the road.
If your driving with without winter tires in an area where they are required or have tires that have less than 3.5 mm of tread depth and the police stop you,.. you may receive at fine.
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Posted by: Retired on October 14 2010 10:44 AM
http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=50&languageId=1&contentId=7418
It states:
"Although it is RECOMMENDED that motorists equip their vehicles with winter tread tires for travel on mountainous highways an all season tire with a "M&S" rating on the sidewall will suffice. A winter tire or all season tire is required to have a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm of tread to be legal."
I understand that when there is a notice board that says winter tires or cahins must be used for particular sections of highway, it is not an option to use anything other than what it states.
I am not 100% certain, but I believe that between here and Vancouver, if travelling via the canyon, there are no such signs, while the hwy 5 route requires them in sections.
It would be helpful if the MoT would identify on their site where winter tires are REQUIRED as opposed to RECOMMENDED.