It may be fall, but that doesn’t mean that B.C. won’t see any early-season snow. To help mitigate expectedly slippery roads, the province will require vehicles to have winter tires on most highways by October 1.
REQUIRED WINTER TIRES IN B.C.
According to the Government of British Columbia, “winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia from October 1 to April 30.” For select highways that aren’t located through mountain passes or areas with high snowfall, the requirements will end a month earlier on March 31.
The included highways will have posted signage, with the province “reserv[ing] the right to restrict travel at any time of the year depending on road conditions.”
These requirements will be enforced by the police, ministry, and other enforcement officials. Noncompliant motorists “may be turned away and fined”, with those fines reaching $121.
WHICH HIGHWAYS ARE INCLUDED?
A number of the winter tire-mandatory highways are located on the south coast, southern interior, north, and southern interior border, according to the province’s provided maps. Although, most of the Lower Mainland and southeast of Vancouver Island will not be required to use winter ties due to their temperate winter climates.
Motorists are responsible for equipping their vehicles properly for the conditions they are driving in. The province also notes that “if you plan to travel outside of the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, winter tires are required on most highways.”
Stay safe this early autumn and winter by getting your winter tires early. When you drive responsibly, you keep not only yourself out of danger, but other people, too.
You might also like
