[thumper]

i just saw this on the news ticker watching the morning news on global.

"from beginning of october to the end of april, it is mandatory to have approved snow tires to drive on BC highways outside of the lower mainland".

i don't know if there was a news report associated with this because i had to go to work, but i can't find anything on google.

does anyone know more about this?

EDIT: here is the link: http://globalnews.ca/video/884457/what-defines-a-proper-winter-tire

[Brianrietta]

That's either your misunderstanding or shoddy reporting by Global. You don't specifically need snow tires to drive anywhere in BC as far as I know. Any of the routes indicated on the maps shown at the link below require you to be using either snow tires or simply carry chains:

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/SeasonalDriving/winter_chains.html)

[Soundy]

That's either your misunderstanding or shoddy reporting by Global. [/URL]
I'd go with the former - there's really only so much information that can be packed into a news ticker.

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/SeasonalDriving/winter_chains.html)

Tires and Chain-Up Information

In winter, a driver who starts a trip in sunshine may face stretches of slush, ice, heavy snowfall or compact snow before reaching their destination.

Do I Require Winter Tires or Chains?
Drivers are required to obey Winter Tire and Chain Up signs throughout the province. The designated routes require that vehicles are either equipped with winter tires or carry chains from October 1 to April 30. Click on the maps below to see the regional highways requiring winter tires and/or chains.

[thumper]

someone PM'd me the link to the news report:

What defines a proper winter tire? | Watch GlobalNews Videos (http://globalnews.ca/video/884457/what-defines-a-proper-winter-tire)

so it's less about what the ticker said and more about whether an "approved" snow tire means M+S or a mountain/snowflake on BC highways.

i thought ministry and RCMP argued about this last year... normally this dosen't matter to me but the job i work at now needs me to travel as far as hope or princeton. i guess i have to check with rental car agencies and ask what do they have on their cars when i head out there...

[Soundy]

I wouldn't worry much about it on the way to Hope, that part of the highway is kept pretty clear, and there are no designated chain-up areas (that I can think of) between here and there.

Princeton, on the other hand, can get tricky through the Manning Park/Allison Pass section when there's lots of snow. Remember to check drivebc.ca for condition info before you go, and if you're worried about a rental car being "properly equipped", just ask when you're picking up your rental. It's in their best interests, if you're going into the interior, to make sure their car won't have issues with the road conditions.

[Soundy]

BTW, Allison Pass road cam shows a dusting of snow on the shoulders... :troll:

http://images.drivebc.ca/bchighwaycam/pub/cameras/65.jpg

[thumper]

BTW, Allison Pass road cam shows a dusting of snow on the shoulders... :troll:

ha. if that "light dusting" were in the lower mainland news stations would be calling it the next snowpocalypse :lol

between costco having xmas decorations out for the last month already and this... i'm not ready see winter dammit :QQ:

[GLOW]

for a minute there i thought you now need winters to drive to the US :lol

[GabAlmighty]

Godamnit, good chains for the cummins are the price of a good set of used snowies. I'll just stick with my M+S tires and weight in the bed.

[Zedbra]

Buying a set of snowies isn't that much and they make a world of difference stopping in the cold/ice/snow.

Just north of my house, the RCMP are on the S2S all the time, performing road blocks heading towards Whistler and turning cars around without snow tires or chains. And I think this is a good thing - it puts the rescue workers in danger going out in the snow storms to rescue idiots on their all season tires

[GabAlmighty]

And I have yet to ever witness one of these roadblocks... Snow tires are good for ice, that's about it. On actual snow a M+S will perform just the same.

[dared3vil0]

Buying a set of snowies isn't that much and they make a world of difference stopping in the cold/ice/snow.

Just north of my house, the RCMP are on the S2S all the time, performing road blocks heading towards Whistler and turning cars around without snow tires or chains. And I think this is a good thing - it puts the rescue workers in danger going out in the snow storms to rescue idiots on their all season tires

Never seen one, been to whistler a fair bit...

[MindBomber]

Just to note, the GVRD and Lower Mainland are not interchangeable terms.

[Zedbra]

Never seen one, been to whistler a fair bit...

Go on a snowy day, you'll see them. They set up just past Alice Lake on the highway; were there several times last year. Every store in town was sold out of chains most of the time - so don't rely on that as being a solution.

[GabAlmighty]

I was passing cops on the last snowy day, still didn't see a road block. (I'm just givin ya heck, i'm sure they have em, just never seen one).

[thumper]

Just to note, the GVRD and Lower Mainland are not interchangeable terms.

the news ticker said GVRD. afterwards the news report said lower mainland. i edited my post to reflect that but i cannot change the title.

[Timpo]

AutoSock: Snow Socks - Which? First Look Review - YouTube

[Timpo]

so what's the answer?

are you still allowed to drive in BC with all season tires during the winter?

[Timpo]

check out "Do I have to use winter tires?" section...

it says "Although winter tires are not mandatory in B.C."

ICBC | Winter driving (http://www.icbc.com/road-safety/safer-drivers/winter-driving)

^ unless this is an outdated info

[Zedbra]

I was passing cops on the last snowy day, still didn't see a road block. (I'm just givin ya heck, i'm sure they have em, just never seen one).

The line was so long one time, I had to skip going to the back woods area where my family gets their Xmas trees from! boooo

Just before I turned around, there was an M3 that was turned around with all seasons and it was puking out.

I heard there will be more tire checks this year.

[Lomac]

Personally I wouldn't leave the GVRD without snow tires on my car. Nor would I drive in the Lower Mainland past November without snow tires, as well.

[thumper]

AutoSock: Snow Socks - Which? First Look Review - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x8iHyLWWKw)

this was posted elsewhere and i mentioned that my friend had these on his car going to whistler and they turned him back at the checkpoint. unless things have changed in the last 2 years, they do not recognize this as a substitute for tire chains. on top of that, the first patch of clear pavement you hit and these will start to shred unless you drive like a granny. his did not last 2 winters, and there wasn't that much snow in vancouver.

[Timpo]

if you get a rubber chain it should be a lot quieter

http://www.honda.co.jp/ACCESS/auto-archive/cr-v/2009/carlife/tire-chain.html
http://image.space.rakuten.co.jp/lg01/05/0000745205/71/imgd7206a06zikazj.jpeg

[Timpo]

Personally I wouldn't leave the GVRD without snow tires on my car. Nor would I drive in the Lower Mainland past November without snow tires, as well.

yeah but is it actually mandatory now? like the title says?

[Manic!]

I think the story is B.S. Last time i checked Victoria didn't even own a single snow plow and Nanaimo has a highway running right thru it. You expect everyone in Nanaimo to get snow tires?

[Brianrietta]

Okay, apparently I have to copy and paste this out of the PDF that I linked to earlier.

[Lomac]

yeah but is it actually mandatory now? like the title says?

Snow tires are mandatory between Oct 1 and April 30 on many major Interior highways. Going up the Coquihalla, you can even get turned back if you don't have a set of chains. In fact, any highway that has this sign:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/images/R-047.png

on it will usually have road safety checks during the winter and the MoT is allowed to refuse you the right to continue if you don't have winter tires or chains.

If you're on a road with this sign:

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/images/W-041-4.png

it's more of a caution warning, like the yellow speed signs on on/off ramps.

[Lomac]

this was posted elsewhere and i mentioned that my friend had these on his car going to whistler and they turned him back at the checkpoint. unless things have changed in the last 2 years, they do not recognize this as a substitute for tire chains. on top of that, the first patch of clear pavement you hit and these will start to shred unless you drive like a granny. his did not last 2 winters, and there wasn't that much snow in vancouver.

Snow socks are crap. But, like any other set of chains, once you're out of the area where they're required, you take 'em off the tires anyway. You'll also destroy steel chains driving on clear pavement.

[Manic!]

Okay, apparently I have to copy and paste this out of the PDF that I linked to earlier.


Yes you have to because I am to lazy to click.


I find it stupid you need chains to got to Port Alberni.

[Soundy]

yeah but is it actually mandatory now? like the title says?

Snow tires are mandatory between Oct 1 and April 30 on many major Interior highways.

I find it stupid you need chains to got to Port Alberni.
:facepalm: SO much fail.

NO YOU DO NOT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE WINTER TIRES ON TO DRIVE THE BC INTERIOR.

#1. See that little word there, "OR"?? That means if you CARRY chains (no, you don't have to have them on the tires the whole time), you aren't required to have winter tires.

#2. Unless conditions are nasty, nobody's going to give you grief, or even bother to check. When conditions get bad, they'll set up road checks, and turn back vehicles that don't have winter tires, OR have chains onboard. THIS DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CHAINS ON RIGHT AWAY EITHER, but you have to have them with.

[meme405]

If you drive a lot, or if you ski and board, get winter tires. its the best investment. Putting on and taking of chains is a hassle and annoying. Good winter tires are a worthy investment even if they only get you out of a jam once a season.

You extend the life of your summer/all season tires, you hardly have to worry about weather when you are travelling and if anything happens you are covered.

[Zedbra]

If you drive a lot, or if you ski and board, get winter tires. its the best investment. Putting on and taking of chains is a hassle and annoying. Good winter tires are a worthy investment even if they only get you out of a jam once a season.

You extend the life of your summer/all season tires, you hardly have to worry about weather when you are travelling and if anything happens you are covered.


A set of chains will get you out of a jam better than winter tires.

I had a group of friends last year that were stuck up on Brohm after sledding - was sunny through the day then heavy snow. The road was a sheet of ice under the snow and although they all had 4x4s with snow tires, they were sliding off the road. They called me, I took up an extra pair of chains and one by one they used those chains to get their trucks off the mountain. Good chains can cost up to $200 and you may never use them, but are worth every penny when you do need them. There are often many sets on Craigslist that are new - never used.

[Jmac]

Okay, apparently I have to copy and paste this out of the PDF that I linked to earlier. Highway 18 is a designated winter tires/chains route.

I drive that highway 2-3 times a week to visit my parents in Lake Cowichan.

[Jmac]

And I have yet to ever witness one of these roadblocks... Snow tires are good for ice, that's about it. On actual snow a M+S will perform just the same. Going from Michelin Hydroedges (M+S) to Nokian WR G2s (Snow tire) is a massive difference in the snow.

[meme405]

A set of chains will get you out of a jam better than winter tires.

I had a group of friends last year that were stuck up on Brohm after sledding - was sunny through the day then heavy snow. The road was a sheet of ice under the snow and although they all had 4x4s with snow tires, they were sliding off the road. They called me, I took up an extra pair of chains and one by one they used those chains to get their trucks off the mountain. Good chains can cost up to $200 and you may never use them, but are worth every penny when you do need them. There are often many sets on Craigslist that are new - never used.

Very true, chains will probably get you unstuck better than just snowies.

But with winters on you can dig yourself out much faster. I used to have a 2007 camry and even in 2 feet of snow all I had to do was brush away the snow in front of the front bumper and as soon as I was moving my front bumper would just act as a snowplow (it was pretty funny to watch).

There are other "jams" i was referring to though, for example, there is no snow on the road but you hit some slippery sections, winter tires might be the difference between the ditch and simply driving onwards...

[Lomac]

:facepalm: SO much fail.

NO YOU DO NOT ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE WINTER TIRES ON TO DRIVE THE BC INTERIOR.

#1. See that little word there, "OR"?? That means if you CARRY chains (no, you don't have to have them on the tires the whole time), you aren't required to have winter tires.

#2. Unless conditions are nasty, nobody's going to give you grief, or even bother to check. When conditions get bad, they'll set up road checks, and turn back vehicles that don't have winter tires, OR have chains onboard. THIS DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CHAINS ON RIGHT AWAY EITHER, but you have to have them with.

I've been turned away with brand new all seasons and chains before. And even with that, there are days on some of those roads I would never even think about driving without proper mountain rated tires and chains.

Okay, so it's not "mandatory" to have snow tires, but it's pretty silly to tackle the Show Shed in mid-January without them and chains. It really should be mandatory to drive on winter tires in much of the interior.

[meme405]

Studded Winters with AWD :fuckyea:

[twitchyzero]

if anything happens you are covered.

afaik ICBC can't deny you coverage because you don't have winter tires (may be with the exception of the highways which require snowies?)

[GabAlmighty]

Chains are not for snow, they are for ice. End of argument.

[Zedbra]

Chains are not for snow, they are for ice. End of argument.

They work well on packed snow. There were more than a few nights I was the only truck on the road in Creekside headed to the pub in 18" of fresh snow and unplowed side roads. I couldn't make it up a couple hills without my chains

[dared3vil0]

^ I'm sorry but a damn good set of snow tires (think DuraTracs/BFG All terrains) and 4x4 (NOT awd) with atleast one locker/limited slip and chains are redundant.

[meme405]

afaik ICBC can't deny you coverage because you don't have winter tires (may be with the exception of the highways which require snowies?)

You answered your own question, outside the GVRD and that very limited list of roads, you can and will be denied coverage by ICBC if you get into an accident and do not have rated winter tires.

And no all seasons are not ALL SEASONS, and ICBC can and will say that to you. In BC all seasons are really just three seasons...

EDIT: this is how ICBC words it:

Driving without winter tires will not void your insurance if you have a claim. It also won't mean you're automatically at-fault in a crash. However, if you get in a crash where winter tires could have helped, not having them may affect whether—or how much—you are at-fault.

And since we all know ICBC is always looking to blame everyone involved in a crash so they can mitigate their losses, you will be blamed...