Reminder for drivers: Winter tires now mandatory on many B.C. highways
Winter is still months away, but winter tires or chains will be required on most highways through British Columbia starting Friday.
The provincial Ministry of Transportation says the rules will be enforced mostly by police or ministry officials, and that drivers who do not comply could face a $121 fine and have their trip interrupted.
Others may be turned back for non-compliance.
The ministry says the fines can be applied after Oct. 1, regardless of whether there's actually any snow on the ground. The weather may be clear and warm, but drivers can still be fined through April 30 if they aren't adhering to signage.
In most areas, winter tire and chain rules are in effect until the end of April, but on select highways that do not include mountain passes or aren't in high snowfall areas, the restriction lifts on the last day of March.
A public document posted by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia shows dozens of tickets were handed out for improperly equipped vehicles in 2020, though it was not immediately clear how many were tied specifically to snow tires and chains.
The ministry website recommends using four matched winter tires and says both the all-season "mud and snow" (M+S) tires and the three-peaked "mountain/snowflake" tires meet the legal winter tire requirements in B.C.
“It is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure they have the correct winter tires on designated routes,” Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth told CTV News in a written statement on Tuesday. “This, along with other safe driving behaviours such as slowing down, putting your phone out of reach, and not drinking and driving, can make a big difference in getting everyone home safely.”
More information on which routes require winter tires and/or chains can be found on the transportation ministry website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Freeland tables motion previewing omnibus budget bill
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass the sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
T. rex is at the centre of a debate over dinosaur intelligence
Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.