Even as spring arrives, winter tires still needed for driver, passenger safety
Don’t put away those winter tires just yet in BC.
Even though it’s officially spring, winter tires or chains are still required on designated highways through March 31. For highways located through mountain passes and/or high snowfall areas, the requirements extend until April 30.
“As spring arrives we naturally start to think about how much longer we need to use winter tires. The answer is based on safety, not the season,” says Trace Acres, spokesperson for the Shift into Winter campaign.
Winter tires provide better traction and stopping performance when temperature drop below 7C and on wet, snowy, or icy roads. All-season and summer tires are less effective in colder weather. “The difference in traction can be the difference between you reaching your destination safely or you and your passengers being in a serious crash,” Acres says
Vehicles generally take longer to stop when roads are slippery so reducing speed is essential. “We need to be thinking how to get to our destination safely instead of getting there quickly. You can never be sure how your vehicle or other drivers will react in wet or icy conditions.”
Drivers also need to keep tires properly inflated. Air pressure decreases in cold weather, which can affect braking distance, steering and handling. Shift into Winter recommends checking air pressure at least every month.
Look for signs
Designated highways requiring winter tires or chains are marked with signs. You can also find them at DriveBC.ca.
Some BC roads don’t require winter tires. In those cases, winter tires are still best for safety when temperatures regularly fall below 7C.
Safe driving tips
Some other tips to help drivers stay safe at this time of year:
- Know before you go. Check DriveBC.ca or your municipality and other local reports for updated road and weather conditions
- Avoid driving when road and weather conditions are poor, if possible
- Prepare yourself by knowing how to drive for the conditions before you get behind the wheel
Tips for work drivers
Hundreds of thousands of BC residents drive as part of their job, either full time, part time or only occasionally. For them, additional tips include:
- Follow your organization’s safe winter driving procedures
- Report any unsafe conditions to your supervisor
- Carry chains and know when and how to use them if you drive a commercial vehicle
Shift into Winter is a joint provincial initiative supported by the Winter Driving Safety Alliance and managed by Road Safety at Work. For more information visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca.
Quotes
Harry Bains, Minister of Labour:
“Safety at work is always my number one priority and everyone has the right to return home safe at the end of the day. While driving in winter conditions can be dangerous, I encourage all drivers to make use of the Shift into Winter guides to learn about winter tire regulations in BC, and to stay safe on wet, snowy, or icy roads.”
Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:
“While we look forward to spring, it’s important to remain prepared for any winter conditions that may still come our way. Winter tires are key to keeping people safe on our highways, and they should remain in use where required or when conditions warrant.”
About the Winter Driving Safety Alliance
The Winter Driving Safety Alliance is a cross-section of 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 Highway Patrol – RCMP; BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association; City of Kelowna; City of Vancouver; Concrete BC; Corecode Safety and Compliance; Hansen’s; Insurance Corporation of BC; Island Equipment Owners Association; Justice Institute of British Columbia; Kal Tire; Mainroad; Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; RoadSafetyBC; Road Safety at Work; SafetyDriven; Tiger Calcium Services; 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