Believe it or not, winter is just around the corner and with that comes highways covered with snow and ice.
To help keep those roads safe winter tires are required on most B.C. highways as of Sunday (Oct. 1).
That rule is in effect until April 30 on all northern B.C. highways and throughout most of the province, except coastal roads in the Lower Mainland and southwestern Vancouver Island. The winter tire season ends a month earlier on March 31 on highways that do not experience high snowfalls or do not go through mountainous areas.
Failure to equip a vehicle with tires at least rated for mud and snow (labelled on the tire M+S) can result in a fine of $121 for passenger vehicles and $598 for commercial vehicles. Snow tires, which are made of softer rubber than all-season tires, generally provide better grip in winter conditions.
All trucks or heavy commercial vehicles that weigh more than 11,794 kilograms must also carry tire chains.
