The Province is reminding you that winter tires are required on East Kootenay highways as of Friday, October 1.
Winter tires are also mandatory when travelling highways in northern BC, the Sea to Sky Highway and some sections of highways on Vancouver Island including the Malahat.
Drivers who are caught without proper winter tires on highways where they are required could be subject to a $121 fine.
Winter tires are defined as those marked with either the M+S (mud and snow) or mountain/snowflake symbol.
Find more information from the Province below:
With cold-weather season approaching, drivers and vehicle owners are reminded that B.C.’s annual winter tire requirements are in effect.
As of Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, winter tires are mandatory for all vehicles on most British Columbia highways to increase travel safety until spring.
Winter tires are required for travel on:
* all highways in the North;
* all highways in the Interior;
* sections of some highways on the South Coast, including the Sea to Sky Highway; and
* sections of some highways on Vancouver Island, including the Malahat and highways 4, 14 and 28.
In B.C., appropriate winter tires are defined as those with either the M+S (mud and snow) or mountain/snowflake symbol, in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres.
Tires marked with a mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall offer the best traction on snow and ice and in cold weather. Tires marked with M+S offer better traction than summer tires, but are less effective than mountain/snowflake tires in severe winter conditions. Drivers are encouraged to choose their tires based on the region and conditions in which they regularly drive.
While winter tires are not mandatory provincewide, they are required on a majority of B.C. highways. Drivers without the proper winter tires in good condition driving on designated B.C. highways can receive a fine of $121.
Rain, slush, snow, ice and cold temperatures are all part of winter driving. The improved traction offered by winter tires can make the difference between safely driving on winter roads and being involved in a potentially serious motor vehicle incident.
When setting out, drivers are reminded to slow down and use caution. To plan ahead, check: DriveBC.ca
Also starting Oct. 1, 2021, commercial vehicle operators are required to carry chains on most routes in B.C., as indicated by roadside signs. Chains are not required on the Lower Mainland and most of Vancouver Island.
Winter tires and chain requirements are in effect on most designated highways in B.C. from Oct. 1 to March 31. For select highways, including mountain passes and rural routes in high snowfall areas, the date is extended until April 30 to account for early spring snowfall. These highways are marked with regulatory signs.
Local highways contractor Mainroad East Kootenay is also encouraging you to shift into winter.
View a statement from Mainroad below:
In British Columbia, the chances of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle incident (MVI) dramatically increase during winter months. On average, the number of casualty crashes due to driving too fast for the conditions increases by 122% in December compared to September (approximately 220 crashes in December compared to approximately 99 in September)[1].
The annual Shift into Winter campaign, which begins today, October 1, aims to reduce this risk by reminding British Columbians to prepare now and plan ahead for winter driving.
As a member of the Winter Driving Safety Alliance, Mainroad encourages you and your families, friends, and colleagues to prepare for the upcoming season. Winter conditions such as colder temperatures, reduced visibility and fewer daylight hours can present serious hazards for all drivers.
Here are a few simple steps to help keep you and your loved ones safe this winter:
- Install a set of 4 matched winter tires (three-peaked mountain and snowflake) with at least 3.5 mm of tread depth. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Install them now before the poor weather hits as they provide better traction and control in rain, snow, slush, and icy conditions.
- Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.
- Every year, give your vehicle a pre-season maintenance check-up.
Know how to drive for the conditions before you get behind the wheel. Even the most experienced drivers can’t predict how their vehicles or other drivers will react in rain, snow or on ice.
- Slow down to match road conditions. The posted speed limit is the maximum speed under ideal driving conditions.
- Maintain a safe following distance. Keep at least 4 seconds of distance between you and the vehicle in front. Leaving extra space allows more time for you to react to other driver’s behaviours.
- Know how to brake safely and get out of a skid. On slick roads, start slowly and accelerate gradually to maintain traction and avoid spinning your wheels. When stopping, plan well in advance, apply the brakes gently, and slowly add pressure. Avoid braking suddenly.
- When driving look to where you want to go, this will help you to correctly steer your vehicle.
- Use extreme caution and slow down when approaching highway maintenance equipment including plows, salt and sand trucks. Never pass on the righ
- Don’t go: If possible, postpone your plans and avoid driving when road and weather conditions are poor.
- Know before you go. If you have to travel:
- Check weather warnings and road conditions at DriveBC.ca
- Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
- Select the safest route. Check with the local municipality to see which roads have been prioritized for plowing and salting, and avoid driving on steep hills or on flooded roads. Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive. If you get stuck, stay with your vehicle.
For more information on what you can do to stay safe when driving this winter, visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca.
– Includes photo, image and statement submitted by Province of British Columbia, additional statement from Mainroad East Kootenay
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