By CRM Staff
Toronto, Ontario – October 1st, 2018 – British Columbia is cracking down on driver safety.
Starting today, all B.C. drivers will be required to have winter tires on their vehicles while driving on the majority of the province’s highways.
The regulations were created as an initiative to further promote safe travel during the winter months.
Appropriate winter tires are being defined as those with either an M+S or mountain/snowflake symbol and must also be in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres.
The regulations will affect highways in the north, interior and south coast regions, and select areas of Vancouver Island.
Despite not being mandatory province wide, drivers found without proper winter tires on regulated highways may face a fine of up to $109.
Approximately 60 percent of B.C. drivers own winter tires, compared to 38 percent in 2014, according to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada.
B.C. is reminding drivers to slow down and to check DriveBC.ca when heading out onto the roads during the winter months.
A majority of the highway tire regulations will come to an end March 31st, but select mountain passes and rural highways have been extended to April 30th to account for early spring snowfall.
Also starting today, commercial vehicle operators must carry chains and are required to use them when a mandatory chain-up is in place.
