FREDERICTON – Thanks to a little dusting of snow, New Brunswickers have been reminded that it’s snow tire season.
Automotive shops in the capital city spent much of Thursday changing treads, but putting winter tires on may eventually become a requirement for N.B. drivers.
The provincial government is exploring a similar regulation to what Quebec put in place four years ago, when snow tires became mandatory.
Quebec RCMP say accident rates have dropped 18 per cent since 2008 because of the regulation.
Sound off: What do you think of making winter tires mandatory? Tell us on Facebook or on Twitter @globalmaritimes
Brian Ferguson, an automotive instructor at New Brunswick Community College, says there’s a huge difference when your vehicle has winter tires.
He said when the temperature drops past -8 C, all-season tires tend to harden and lose traction.
Studded tires also have limited benefit and only on wet slippery ice, near the freezing point.
“On clean pavement you may actually have less traction with a studded tire because the studs are holding the rubber off the pavement,” Ferguson says.
Despite the extra cost, local taxi companies say they wouldn’t be opposed to a snow tire law and number of them already have the tires on their vehicles.
Cab driver Mark Sivret says during massive snowfalls he would feel more at ease if more snow tires hit the road.
But, he adds the other part of the issue is with drivers themselves.
“People have problems because they got a heavy foot and they drive too fast, and that’s what causes a lot of problems,” Sivret says.
Comments