Quebec winter tire law gets stricter

MONTREAL (Nov. 24, 2014)  — Quebec's law requiring winter tires on cars registered in the province during winter months gets even stricter starting Dec. 15.

After that date all winter tires in use must bear the “mountain snowflake” pictogram that is recognized by Transport Canada and tire makers as certifying that the tire meets or exceeds tire industry snow traction requirements, according to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada.

Tires bearing this symbol are specifically designed for the rigors of winter driving, TRAC said.

Quebec enacted its winter tire law — which requires all taxis and passenger vehicles registered in Québec be equipped with winter tires from Dec. 15 to March 15 — in 2008.

The law, which also applies to rental passenger vehicles in Québec, as well as mopeds, motorized scooters and motorcycles, provided for a phase-in period to give drivers time to acquire winter tires bearing the mountain snowflake pictogram.

Studded tires are still recognized as being specifically designed for winter driving in Quebec, if used in accordance with the regulation respecting the use of non-skid devices on the tires of certain road vehicles. The law allows their use from Oct. 15 to May 1.

TRAC noted that tire makers estimate that 90 percent of Quebec's motorists already were using winter tires when the province introduced its law making winter tire use mandatory.

At the same time, TRAC reported that winter tire use outside Quebec has risen steadily since the province's winter tire law was enacted.

“The role played by Quebec's winter tire law and drivers in the province in making roadways safer right across Canada should not be underestimated,” Mr. Maidment said. “The experience of Quebec motorists raised awareness of the safety and performance benefits of winter tires and influenced many thousands of drivers to switch over to winter tires during the cold-weather months.”

TRAC estimates that about half of Canadian drivers outside the province use winter tires.