RCMP Kick-Start Season with Winter Tire Campaign

RCMP are reminding drivers that it is now winter tire season. As of October 1^st it is illegal to drive on roadways that climb to a higher elevation without a set of winter tires.

On Thursday, October 8^th members of the Central Okanagan Traffic Services and Integrated Road Safety Unit were on Highway 97C at the U turn, pulling over drivers and educating them on the proper needed winter vehicle equipment. During the pull over RCMP members checked tires with a tire tread depth indicator.

“Section 208 of the motor vehicle act states that a vehicle traveling in the higher elevations or pass signs that are properly posted on our roadways must have tires that are sufficient as winter tires. That would be tires that display the snowflake and mountain symbol or the M and S on the side wall,” explained Cst. Steve Holmes, with the Kelowna Municipal Traffic Unit.

The minimum tread depth has to be 3.5 millimetres across the surface of the tire, which is equivalent to four stacked dimes.

Holmes said the purpose of the initiative was largely educational instead of issuing tickets. “If we do see something that is quite obvious or other types of motor vehicle infractions we will be dealing with them accordingly. We’re on the onset of winter, it’s more our concern to make sure people are equipping themselves not only with the equipment on their vehicles but also with the sensibilities and starting to prepare themselves mentally to be able to drive the conditions we’re going to be having.”

For any driver that isn’t used to mountain driving Holmes suggested visiting roadsafetybc.com. “If you go onto that website it’s going to tell you everything you need to know about driving in British Columbia any time of year.” The website also shows webcams in the passes, so people can preview driving conditions before they head out on the road.

If a driver is caught without winter tires on a roadway that climbs to a higher elevation there is a fine of $109.