Winter tire usage coming into effect, Squamish

It is that time again, folks — winter tire season. 

Road Safety at Work is reminding B.C. drivers that winter tire usage is coming into effect on Oct. 1.

Winter tires or chains are required on most B.C. highways from Oct. 1 to March 31. Some highways extend the usage until April 30 to account for spring snowfall. 

Highway 99 from Lillooet to Horseshoe Bay requires winter tires from Oct. 1 to March 31.

“Winter tires provide better traction and stopping performance than summer tires in cold temperatures and on wet, snowy, and icy roads. Traction may be the difference between safely driving on winter roads and being involved in a serious crash,” said the statement from Road Safety at Work.

Tires must be in good working order which includes a minimum of 3.5 mm tread depth. Tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or the all-season mud plus snow symbol meet the legal requirements.

Other tips for safe winter driving include:

• Ensuring tires match each other
• Checking tire pressure and tread
• Carrying chains or other traction devices

For more information about the upcoming road requirements, please visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca.