Winter tire use across Canada

Drivers across the country are bound by a vast array of laws and regulations but will winter tire usage ever become mandatory? Usage in some parts of the country is already fairly prevalent but overall, fewer than half of Canadian drivers use winter tires.

Last year the Rubber Association of Canada compiled data from the industry’s tire shipments by province over the previous five years, as measured against vehicle registrations.

Winter Tire Usage By Province

• Québec 98% (In 2008, the province enacted a law making winter tires mandatory)
• New Brunswick 60%
• Nova Scotia 56%
• Newfoundland & Labrador 44%
• Ontario 37%
• Alberta 31%
• Prince Edward Island 27%
• British Columbia 23%
• Saskatchewan 23%
• Manitoba 17%
• National average 48%

“While the overall trend is not surprising to us, the usage distribution brings home just how regionally winter tires matter across the country”, said Glenn Maidment, President of The Rubber Association of Canada.

“Every Region of Canada would improve road safety if they used winter tires,” said Maidment.

While winter tires are not mandatory in British Columbia, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) recently recommended their use, particularly in snow-prone areas.

“Driving without winter tires will not void your insurance in the event of a claim or mean that you are automatically at-fault for a crash,” said ICBC. “However, if you get in a crash where winter tires could have helped it may be a deciding factor in determining whether or how much you are at-fault.”

ICBC also noted that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure can also designate that winter tires are required on certain roads and highways. This typically happens during the fall and winter months in northern B.C. and the Southern Interior.

In Saskatchewan, SGI noted that in winter 2010, 114 people were injured in car collisions. Nearly 18,000 collision claims were filed, resulting in $40 million in vehicle damage. While winter tires would help, smart winter driving habits are important, too, said the insurer.

“The most important thing to remember when driving during winter is to slow down,” said Kwei Quaye, Assistant Vice President of Traffic Safety Services at SGI. “Leave more distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you, so you have more time to stop. And give yourself more time to get to your destination, so you won’t be tempted to drive faster than is safe.”

 Loading ...

You might also be interested in: Difference between ice radials and winter tires 

Print