A sudden cover of light snow at the height of the evening commute this past week and traffic rapidly slowed to a snail’s pace as motorists tried to negotiate slippery roads that were difficult to manage and littered with countless minor accidents.
Almost as instantly as the snowfall appeared, so did the debate whether winter tires should become mandatory for passenger vehicles travelling on Ontario’s roadways.
While Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation has no immediate plans to create a law, vehicle owners should not ignore the benefits winter tires provide and consider equipping their vehicles with a good quality winter tire since all-season and all-weather tires may not provide the desired performance needed when road conditions begin to deteriorate.
Winter road conditions bring different challenges for motorists and it is important to be prepared and gain every advantage to maintain full control of the vehicle and also avoid becoming involved in a collision.
Tires designed specifically for winter weather can provide drivers with an advantage when travelling on snow covered, slushy or icy roads through improved traction, enhanced steering control and effective braking.
For those who are still not convinced winter tires are a good investment, perhaps knowing how they differ from seasonal tires may change some minds.
In cold weather, winter tires typically outperform the all-season brands because their construction targets winter temperatures and road conditions. For instance, the tread compound on a winter tire contains a higher percentage of natural rubber allowing the tire to remain flexible at lower temperatures, key to ensuring good steering and braking when the temperature drops.
The critical temperature is 7 C, the point at which a non-winter tire begins to become less flexible which, could have an adverse affect on overall performance. Winter tires are also constructed with a deeper and wider tread pattern to provide a stronger road grip and disperse greater amounts of snow, water and slush to improve steering and braking when these elements are present on the roadway.
However having a good set winter of tires is not the complete answer; drivers must also continually exercise good judgement and drive according to current road and weather conditions, which includes reducing speed when necessary, adding distance when following other vehicles and keeping eyes focused on the task of driving – not on the cellphone.
It is important to install winter tires on all four wheels as it’s best to avoid having a mixture of tires, which could lead to a potential loss of control should the driver need to react under conditions of hard braking or emergency steering.
When purchasing a winter tire, ensure the tire meets the severe snow performance standards established by the Rubber Association of Canada, identified through the mountain snowflake symbol embossed on the tire sidewall.
When is it time to install the winter tires? Tire experts tells us when you can see your breath in the chilly autumn air, it’s time to switch to the winter tires. With at least three months of winter driving remaining, winter tires are a good investment in safety.
For more information on winter tires, visit www.rubberassociation.ca
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