Winter road rules kick in across B.C.; upgraded tires required on many highways commonly travelled by Albertans
If you're B.C.-bound, bear in mind Saturday was the day winter road rules kicked in across the province to the left of us.
That means a mandatory tire upgrade.
Provincewide through March 31, drivers are expected to obey winter tire and chain signs, and through April 30 on many of the roads visiting Albertans would be navigating, such as mountain and rural routes in high-snowfall areas.
Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work, which manages the Shift into Winter campaign, is quoted on the campaign's website as saying it is not too soon to get ready for snow, ice or whatever else the weather wills.
“The best way to help keep yourself and your passengers safe is to start preparing for winter now and plan ahead,” Acres said.
“Waiting until the first storm hits is too late.”
B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure lists four types of tires that are legal on those marked roads during the winter months.
These are studded tires, winter-rated tires, all-weather tires and all-season tires.
The first three tire types are marked with a three-peaked mountain and a snowflake on the sidewall, while all-season tires are marked with an M+S on the sidewall.
The ministry says all four types must have a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm.
Winter tires specifically are what the ministry recommends "for maximum stability in cold weather and on ice, snow and slush."
Only 35 per cent of those who responded to a survey conducted by Road Safety at Work in 2021 believed "driving in snow or ice without winter tires, chains or other traction devices is extremely perilous."
Only 19 per cent believed "it’s extremely dangerous to drive without winter tires, chains or other traction devices when it’s not snowing or icy."
“Driving in winter conditions is a risk every single time you get behind the wheel,” Acres is quoted as saying on the Shift into Winter campaign website.
“We all need to understand that and do our part to improve our winter driving behaviours and practices.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.