Tis the season to be driving with winter tires on British Columbia roads, and this one lasts much longer than the Christmas season.
As highway road signs inform us, winter tires and chains are mandatory on vehicles from Oct. 1-Mar. 31, with the period lasting until Apr. 30 along some mountain passes and in remote areas.
And, though all those pairs of Christmas socks you’ll buy for Uncles Steve, John and Mike might be expensive, driving without winter tires can cost a lot more, and cause worse headaches.
If you hit the road without snow tires and the police notice, the officer can turn you back from the highway where winter tires are required, ICBC media officer Lindsay Wilkins told Lakes District News.
Policing agencies including the RCMP and Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) can also fine drivers $109 if their vehicles lack winter tires, a B.C. government website states.
Routes where the tires are required are posted on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure portal.
In case you get into accident and your vehicle doesn’t have the proper tires it might “affect whether, or how much, you are at-fault,” according to the regulations on the ICBC website.
Better to save those winter headaches for Christmas party hangovers, and not risk serious financial or personal loss from driving without winter tires.