Winter tire requirements take effect Tuesday

Motorists travelling through B.C. need to make sure their tires have been changed.

The requirement to use winter tires when driving on the highway took effect Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The requirement came into place the same day that the annual Shift Into Winter safety campaign was launched by the Road Safety at Work organization.

“Winter tires aren’t just for snow and ice. They also provide better traction in rain and the cooler temperatures we’re already seeing at night,” Trace Acres, program director of Road Safety at Work, a WorkSafeBC-funded Injury Reduction Initiative, stated.

“They’re one of the best safety features on any vehicle at this time of year. Putting them on now, before poor weather really hits, can help keep drivers and their passengers safe.”

Designated highways in the Okanagan and Southern Interior require either winter tires and/or chains from October 1 to March 31, while others have the requirements in place from Oct. 1 to April 30.

Winter tire/chain requirement routes in the region (image courtesy of the province)

Road Safety at Work noted the winter tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol work best in the Okanagan, as they are rated for temperatures below 7 C, though noted tires with the M+S (Mud and Snow) symbol also meet the legal requirement.

The organization added that along with changing tires, drivers can take precautions while travelling in the fall and winter months by driving to conditions and following speed limits; staying focused on the road; doing a seasonal check-up to ensure vehicles are operating at peak performance; keeping emergency kits in the vehicle; leaving additional following space with other vehicles; having lights on when driving; and paying attention to instructions in roadside work zones.

“There’s a misconception that crashes are always the fault of other drivers. We can get a little over-confident in our own abilities,” Acres said, noting driving too fast and distracted driving are the leading causes of collisions in B.C. in the fall and winter.

“Both are within your control as a driver. Your driving decisions can affect the lives of other people on the road.”