By Kathy Michaels
It may be the least appealing item on the shopping list, but it’s time to invest in some rubber, say local Mounties.
Kelowna RCMP held a press conference Thursday morning to remind local motorists that now is the time to get winter tires on the road as there may already be black ice. After all, if a crash is caused because of poor equipment, such as the wrong tires, police will issue a nasty fine.
“Winter tires need a tread depth of 3.5 millimetres,” said Holmes, explaining that winter tires will come with a snowflake on the sidewall, or a mud and snow indication.
In lower elevations it’s a matter of safely, but the higher you get the stronger the legislation.
“By law you need to have all season mud and snow tires, winter tires or carry chains in higher elevations from Oct. 1 to April 31,” said Holmes, adding that being caught without will be matched with a $121 fine.
Although most people have a better grasp on the importance of driving with the right equipment, than was the case in years past, Const. Tim Monteith said bald tires on icy roads has yet to become uncommon.
He also wants locals to start adjusting their mindset for winter roads. That means, among other things, stop speeding up to stopped cars. Don’t tailgate and take corners sensibly.
-Kelowna Capital News