Winter tire and chain requirements start today in B.C.
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Tue, 01 Oct 2019 17:08:07 +0000
Beginning Tuesday, winter tires or chains are required on most major highways in B.C. until April 30.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation is reminding drivers that not having them on the highways, which are marked with signs, can result in fines of $109. Meantime, truckers will face higher fines for not carrying chains this year.
Commercial drivers will be fined $196 for not carrying chains when and where required, and $598 for not installing chains during mandatory chain-ups.
During previous winters drivers faced a base-level fine of $121 for not carrying chains or not installing them when required to do so. The new fines go into effect Tuesday.
This screen shot from the Ministry of Transportation shows the highways on the South Coast that now require snow tires or chains.
B.C. cities, municipalities and private roads, such as ski hills, may have their own bylaws or rules around the use of winter tires, chains or traction devices that may differ from provincial highway regulations.
The tire and chain requirements may end on March 31 for some highways not located through mountain passes.
This screen shot from the Ministry of Transportation shows the highways in the B.C. Interior that now require snow tires or chains.
Due to a more temperate winter climate in Metro Vancouver and the southeastern region of Vancouver Island, drivers are not required to use winter tires, except on the Malahat Highway.
On Friday, Environment and Climate Change Canada posted a snow alert for serval B.C. highways. That alert has since been lifted.
This screen shot from the Ministry of Transportation shows the highways in Northern B.C. that now require snow tires or chains.