by Ragnar Haagen - Kelowna - CASTANET Oct 1, 2013 / 6:19 am
Starting Oct. 1, motorists traveling on many BC highways will be required to use approved winter tires on their vehicles. There will be regulatory signs posted alongside roadways notifying drivers to use either winter tires or carry chains from now until the end of April. Anyone caught not obeying the rules can be turned back.Winter tires are not mandatory in BC, and according to ICBC your insurance will not be voided in the event of a claim. 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. All season radials are not approved winter tires because they are not intended principally for winter use. When determining a good winter tire, motorists should look for the symbol of a mountain peak with a snowflake on the sidewalls. Tires marked with the letters M+S, or mud and snow, provide safe all-weather condition, but may not always be suitable for severe snow conditions. The M+S rating is not a reliable indicator of a good winter tire.
Motorists are also encouraged to:
pack an emergency kit
bring water and nonperishable food (like granola bars)
practice their winter driving techniques.
Also don’t forget to give yourself extra travel time in bad weather, remove all the snow from your vehicle before each trip and travel with a fully charged cell phone for emergency situations.
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