Even with spring on horizon, winter tires are needed to help keep drivers, passengers safe

How much longer should you use winter tires on your vehicle?

It’s a timely question as spring approaches. The annual Shift into Winter campaign points out the answer is based on safety, not seasons.

“Winter tires provide better traction and stopping performance below 7C and on wet, snowy, and icy roads,” says Louise Yako, spokesperson for the 13th annual winter driving safety campaign. “Traction may be the difference between safely driving on roads and being involved in a serious crash.”

Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in BC from October 1 to April 30. For select highways not located through mountain passes and/or high snowfall areas, tire and chain requirements end March 31.

Regulated highways are marked with signs and the BC government provides a province-wide map of highways designated for winter tires. Information is also listed on DriveBC.ca.

Some BC roads don’t require winter tires. For those ones, drivers are encouraged to choose their tires based on the region and conditions in which they regularly drive.

Rain, slush, snow, or ice can make stopping your vehicle challenging as your tires have less traction on cold and slippery road surfaces. “For example, if you’re driving on a set of all-season M + S (Mud + Snow) tires on a rain-covered road at 80 km/h, you’ll need twice the distance to stop than you would when driving at 50 km/h.” Yako explains. “You need even longer stopping distances for snow- and ice-covered roads.”

Shift into Winter offers the following tips to help drivers stay safe at this time of year:

• Know before you go. Before leaving, check DriveBC.ca for updated road and weather conditions.
• Avoid driving when road and weather conditions are poor, if possible. If you have to drive when the weather is poor, make sure you and your vehicle are well prepared.
• Use four matched winter tires with the three-peaked mountain/snowflake logo. Keep a winter driving emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Prepare yourself by knowing how to drive for the conditions before you get behind the wheel. Even the most experienced drivers can’t predict how their or the other drivers’ vehicle will react in snow or on ice.
• Follow safe work procedures if you drive for work, even if it’s only occasionally, and report any unsafe conditions to your supervisor.
• Make sure, if you’re an employer with commercial vehicles, that drivers know when to carry chains and how to use them.

For more information visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca. The campaign is a joint provincial initiative supported by the Winter Driving Safety Alliance and managed by Road Safety at Work.

Quotes

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour:

“Driving is a key part of many jobs in BC and everyone deserves to return home safe at the end of the day. Whether your travel is for work or pleasure, these important Shift into Winter tips will help keep you and other drivers safe on the road.”

Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

“Safety on BC’s highways is our top priority. During the winter months it’s especially important that we all do our part by planning ahead, driving to the weather and road conditions and making sure our vehicles are sufficiently equipped with the necessary emergency items. Let’s ensure we all get to where we need to go this winter by being patient and prepared.”

Al Johnson, Head of Prevention Services, WorkSafeBC:

“Every day thousands of British Columbians drive to, or for, work. Springtime in BC is unpredictable at best — often bringing snow, rain and slippery conditions. The extra traction provided by winter tires will reduce the risks to drivers in these changing weather conditions. Workers and employers must be aware of the various tire requirements on highways throughout BC, so we can all get home safely at the end of the workday.”

About the Winter Driving Safety Alliance

The Winter Driving Safety Alliance is a cross-section of 22 public, private, and non-profit organizations committed to working together to improve safe winter driving behaviours and practices in BC. Members are: Ambulance Paramedics of BC; Automotive Retailers Association; BCAA; BC Forest Safety Council; BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association; BC Trucking Association; City of Kelowna; Concrete BC; CoreCode Safety and Compliance; Government of BC; Insurance Corporation of BC; Island Equipment Owners Association; Justice Institute of British Columbia; Kal Tire; Mainroad; BC Highway Patrol; Road Safety at Work; SafetyDriven; Tiger Calcium; Tire and Rubber Association of Canada; Wilson M Beck Insurance Group; and WorkSafeBC.

About Road Safety at Work

Road Safety at Work manages the Shift into Winter campaign as part of its mandate to help BC employers improve the safety of workers when they drive for work. It provides free tools and information for employers, supervisors, and drivers at RoadSafetyAtWork.ca.

Media contact

Gord Woodward, Communications manager
Road Safety at Work
250-734-3652
gord.woodward@roadsafetyatwork.ca