The Okanagan Connector is currently snow-free, but it won’t be that way for long.
With that in mind, police held a brief traffic blitz along the well-travelled highway last week — part of a month-long reminder that winter tires are required on most B.C. mountain passes between Oct. 1 and April 30.
B.C. Highway Patrol says the blitz occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 10, between 8 a.m. and noon, and that approximately 400 vehicles were inspected.
According to police, 16 personal vehicles were turned away for having insufficient tire tread or not using winter-approved tires or chains, while six commercial vehicles were cited for violations and turnarounds.
The turnarounds included inadequate tire treads and travelling without winter tires and chains.
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For some highways, tire and chain requirements end on March 31.
Police say winter tires must display a mountain peak with a snowflake and/or the letters ‘M’ and ‘S’ and that legal winter tires must also have a minimum tread depth of at least 3.5 mm.
“This marks the third consecutive year and I am astonished how many individuals fail to adhere to these simple rules that are in place to ensure the safety of everyone on our roadways,” said Const. Mike Della-Paolera.
Also, four commercial vehicles were taken out of service due to alcohol and drug violations while one commercial vehicle driver was handed a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition.
In related news, West Kelowna RCMP said they handed out five tickets for speeding in a school zone, along with nine warnings for seatbelt violations.
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