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B.C. winter tire rules come into effect on Oct. 1


September 26, 2016   by Canadian Underwriter


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British Columbia’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is reminding motorists that “winter weather is just around the corner” and that the province’s winter tire rules come into effect on Oct. 1.

Man installing snow chains.The rules mean that drivers will be required to equip their vehicles with winter tires if they plan to travel on certain highways in B.C.’s North, the Interior, the South Coast (such as the Sea to Sky Highway) and Vancouver Island (such as the Malahat, Highway 14, Highway 4 and Highway 28).

Drivers who don’t have the proper winter tires on their vehicle on the designated routes can receive a fine of $121, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure noted in a statement on Monday. Drivers who don’t have the minimum tread depth on their tires (3.5 millimetres) on the designated routes can receive a fine of $109.

“Drivers who travel on high mountain passes and designated routes where weather can suddenly change need to make sure their vehicles are winter ready,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone in a statement from the ministry. “We want to be certain drivers are prepared for unpredictable and changing driving conditions. Make sure you are using winter tires that are in good condition, with solid treads, and adjusting your speed to match road and weather conditions.”

In British Columbia, winter tires are defined as those labelled with either the Mountain Snowflake symbol or the Mud and Snow (M+S) symbol, the ministry said. Winter tires must be in good condition with the minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm, and must be used on designated highways Oct. 1 to March 31.

“It’s important that all drivers do their part in keeping our roads safe, especially during unpredictable winter conditions,” said Public Safety and Solicitor General Minister Mike Morris in the statement. “Having the correct winter tires on your vehicle can make a big difference and will help you get home safely at the end of the day.”

Winter tires improve driving safety by providing better traction in snow, slush and icy conditions, the statement noted. Drivers are also reminded to check tire air pressure frequently, as it decreases in cold weather.

Commercial vehicles that are 27,000 kilograms gross volume weight and greater, such as tractor trailers, are required to carry chains on the designated routes. The ministry also recommended that commercial vehicle drivers keep chains onboard at all times and be prepared to install them when conditions warrant.

Signs are posted to identify those highways where winter tires are required for lighter cars and trucks, and chains are required for heavy commercial trucks. These routes are generally located approaching high mountain passes and highways which see significant winter conditions and where conditions can change from rain to snow very quickly.

Since more than 60% of B.C. motorists drive in parts of the province where snow conditions are not common, the ministry is not considering requiring all drivers to equip their vehicles with winter tires – it’s only for motorists travelling on the designated routes, the ministry stressed. However, drivers planning to travel through these designated routes are encouraged to “know before you go” and check DriveBC.ca for the latest for latest highway conditions, highway cams, route forecasts and delay information.


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8 Comments » for B.C. winter tire rules come into effect on Oct. 1
  1. Paul L says:

    Happy with the changes but not happy with the fine amounts, should be higher.

  2. Thomas Jordan says:

    Since 60% of drivers do not drive on highways they do not need winter tires? SERIOUSLY!!! Millions of dollars in damage because people think All season tires are ok!!!
    Make a law to save lives and endless loss of I.C.B.C.
    money to ignorant drivers. THe law should be ….no winter tires?…. NO Insurance.
    Thomas

  3. Sheldon says:

    I like that potential change…. no winter tires in the mountains Oct 1 – March 31 no insurance. I am sure the insurance companies would like that too as these idiots certainly drive up all of our costs.

    BCAA would be wise to also find a way to encourage winter tires… perhaps they tow “bald tire vechicles” for free but only to the nearest safe spot that the car can booted and be left all winter?

  4. Rick says:

    So if you are driving with all season tires on one of these highways where winter tires are required and you slip off the road damaging your own or other vehicles. Can ICBC refuse to cover the damges?

  5. Jim Matthers says:

    I think its great but there is nothing worse than driving with brand new winter tires with temperatures that are still in the double digits. You are loose and all over the road. I’ve been witness to accidents because the rubber is too soft for warm weather and end up being worse than good all seasons in winter conditions.

  6. Raj says:

    I see M+S on my tires.. but no snowflake symbol.. is it still good to drive in winter?

  7. GORD JONES says:

    I’VE BEEN IN THE TIRE BUSINESS 25 YEARS AND IT STILL FIND IT IRRITATING TO HEAR THAT YOU CAN RUN M/S TIRES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. 99.9 PERCENT OF THE TIRES ON THE ROAD ARE M/S RATED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HIGHEND TIRES FOR SPORTS CARS. IN OTHER WORDS, WHO CARES RUN WHAT EVER YOU WANT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WINTER TIRES, ALL-WEATHER TIRES AND ALL SEASON TIRES ARE STAMPED WITH M/S. DOESN’T REALLY MEAN A WHOLE LOT. WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE RUNNING ON THEIR VEHICLES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IS ALL-WEATHER OR STRICTLY WINTER TIRES. THIS MEANS THAT THESE TIRES COME WITH THE THREE PEAK MOUNTAIN SNOWFLAKE. THIS MEANS THEY ARE WINTER RATED.(THE SNOWFLAKE MEANS DURING COLDER TEPERATURES THE TREAD COMPOUND STAYS FLEXIABLE GIVING YOU MAXIMUM TRACTION, AS WELL THERE IS MORE SIPING IN THE TREAD FACE.) TO KEEP A LONG STORY SHORT, BUY A PROPER TIRE FOR WINTER DRIVING. ALL-WEATHER OR WINTER, NOT AN ALL SEASON, THE COMPOUND GETS HARD IN COLDER WEATHER AND GETS SLIPPERY ON THE ALL SEASON EVEN THOUGH THESE TIRES ARE STAMPED WITH THE M/S LOGO. !!!!THEY HAVE NO SNOWFLAKE!!!!

  8. Val says:

    This is an insurance question.
    Are stored winter tires on wheels covered under house or car insurance?
    Thanks

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