B.C. drivers have an important deadline before October begins
B.C. drivers should prepare: on Oct. 1, winter tires will be required on most highways across the province.
From Oct. 1 to either March 31 or April 30 (depending on the highway), B.C. mandates winter tires or chains.
The Lower Mainland and Southeastern Vancouver Island are the one exception to this rule, due to the South Coast‘s more temperate winter climate.
But Lower Mainland drivers should note that once you pass Horseshoe Bay on Highway 99 past Laidlaw on Highway 1, you are required to have winter tires on your vehicle.
“If you plan to travel outside the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, winter tires are required on most highways,” reads the Government of British Columbia’s website.
Government of British Columbia
Further, B.C. cities, municipalities and private roads might also have their own bylaws and rules regarding winter tires or chains.
For example, to access both Mt. Seymour and Cypress Mountain, you will need winter tires starting on Oct. 1.
What kind of tires do you need?
In B.C., M+S (mud and snow) and tires with a moutain/snowflake symbol are legal when winter tires are required.
But the RCMP and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure recommend a tire with a three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol, with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm. However, they advise greater tread depth.
Road Safety at Work, an organization that strives to prevent work-related motor vehicle incidents and injuries, issued a press release launching its Winter Driving Safety campaign. It is also encouraging B.C. drivers to “look beyond the minimum legal standard when choosing your tires.”
“Winter tires aren’t just for snow,” said Trace Acres, program director for road safety at work. “They give you more grip and control when temperatures drop below 7°C, which can happen long before the first snowfall.”
“Drivers also need to think about where they travel, the temperatures they will encounter, and the kind of winter conditions they’re likely to face. Choose tires for those conditions, not simply to meet the minimum requirement,” said Acres.
Road Safety at Work recommends winter tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol, which are engineered to remain flexible in cold temperatures and provide stronger grip for braking and cornering on cold, wet, snowy or icy roads.
They said these tires can reduce stopping distance by 33 per cent.
Meanwhile, M+S-marked tires are intended for milder conditions, like rain, slush, or snow that melts quickly. They can lose grip and traction when temperatures are below 7°C.
Road Safety at Work also encourages people to inspect their winter tires before they put them on by looking at tread depth.
While the legal minimum is 3.5 mm, Acres once again said, “don’t settle for the minimum,” and that they recommend at least 6.5 mm of tread so that drivers have enough traction to respond to sudden hazards.
Further, B.C. drivers should look for uneven wear, missing pieces of rubber, or other damage. If their tires are worn or damaged, they should have them inspected by a tire technician. They should also ensure they are installing four winter tires and avoid mixing them with non-winter tires, as that can “reduce vehicle stability and control.”
Throughout the season, drivers should also check air pressure regularly, as cold weather can lower it and subsequently increase braking distance, as well as impact steering and handling.