Quebec first province to make winter tires mandatory
Last Updated: Thursday, December 20, 2007 | 7:24 PM ET
CBC News
Quebec motorists will be required to swap their summer tires for winter ones starting next winter, under a provincial law passed Wednesday.

As of Nov. 15, 2008, drivers will have to equip their vehicles with snow tires from that day each year through to April 15. The province estimates that 90 per cent of vehicles already use snow tires though an estimated 500,000 people rely on all-season tires.

The law makes Quebec the first province to require winter tires.

Jean-Marie de Koninck, who served as the head of a provincial task force on road safety, said the change is expected to help curb winter accidents.

"There's about 10 per cent of the people right now that don't have winter tires on and they're involved in 38 per cent of the accidents on the road in the winter," he said.

"It does make a big difference if you have summer tires on or winter tires on," he said.

Drivers found without the tires will be fined between $200 and $300, though de Koninck acknowledged spotting drivers without winter tires may be difficult for police officers.

"It is difficult for policemen to enforce the law," he said. "But overall if it reduces the number of fatalities on the road, then we should go ahead with it."

Finland, Sweden, Estonia and Latvia are among the countries that have similar laws requiring drivers to use winter tires to navigate snowy roads.

 

I remember when here in Ohio you had to have snow tires or else you didn't get out of your drive, and you also had a set of chains in the trunk along with a shovel. Now days the people call the police dept or road dept and complain that there is 2 inches of snow on their road and they want it removed, NOW. Only make sense to require snow tires in an area that can't keep the roads clear in the winter for what ever the reason, especially when people know they should have them and there are too many accidents because of it. But how far do you dare go with some laws? Is it a law in Calif to have chains when to climb the Mt passes, I recall seeing some sort of signs in my travels from years ago but is that a law, I actually had trouble finding true snow tires a few yrs ago, most places only carry all-season tires. I'm sure the tire dealers are happy.

 

Overall, a good thing, I think, but like everything mandated, there's going to be loopholes, overhead and interpretation. Some groups are worried that a few people are now going to try to get by with winter tires during the summer, which is also not a good idea. I'm sure that there's going to be a booming business of worn out tire resellers for people who just want to get by the law.

For me, no difference, I've been using winter tires for over 15 years; I'm sold on the concept. I'd be tempted to let natural selection take its course and let people do what they want, but the fact that their decision not to use proper snow tires affects me (they can run into me) tips the scale in favor of the law.

Yves

 

Now that I belive Quebec drivers drive like there on the autobahn if they pass that law in Ontario I`am in the tire business

 

Enforcing a law like this does seem pretty impossible to me!

I'm surprised with the number stating that only 10% of vehicles do not have snow tires, that number seems awfully low. Here in Alberta, I'd honestly be surpised if 10% had snow tires.

 

My guess is that whenever you get pulled over or into an accident, they'll check that as well. Makes an interesting case for the insurance companies to deny coverage doesn't it?

Yeah, it's a can of worms.

I'm surprised as well with the 10% number; I might buy that for people living outside of Montreal, but I'm sure it's closer to 50% for people living in the city.

Yves

 

I wonder if new car dealers in Quebec will have to provide snow tires with the purchase of a new vehicle, similar to the front license plate issue. In places where front license plates are mandatory they have to include a mount or holder, I wonder if the same will happen with tires.

Maybe the gov't of Canada should pass a nationwide law for snow tires in the winter this way new car manufacturers will have to provide two sets of tires and rims with the purchase of a new vehicle (of course, I'm sure they would charge us an arm and leg for that.)

 

I wonder what would happen to winter tire prices if more provinces made snow tires mandatory...