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OTA backs snow tire bill
Posted: Nov 26, 2010 11:59 AM | Last Updated: May 31, 2012 02:52 PM

THUNDER BAY, Ont. -- A Private Member's bill that calls on insurance companies to slash premiums or offer rebates to car drivers who use winter tires is being supported by the Ontario Trucking Association.

"The OTA applauds this initiative because it will help keep Ontario's highways and roads free from preventable accidents this winter helping our drivers to make their scheduled arrival times," said OTA President David Bradley.

The motion, which was introduced by Thunder Bay MPP Bill Mauro and recently passed first reading at Queen's Park, is also backed by the Ontario Safety League, the Ontario Hospital Association, and CAA.

Mauro said that winter tires are cost prohibitive for many drivers and lower insurance rates would help offset the costs and encourage more Ontario drivers to install them – especially in northern Ontario.

All-season tires are known to lose their elasticity in -10 degrees, while winter tires can improve handling and braking by 25 percent.

Only about 29 percent of Ontario drivers reportedly use winter tires., compared to the national average of 42 percent.  

 
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john

2011/03/17

at 4:47 AM

Rating
-1
35
36
So maintaining proper air pressure in winter days will allow you to have good traction and handling. Also it is important in winter that tires should be inflated to the recommended pressure as stated in your car's/bikes manual.. http://www.uscommercialtrucks.com

J Zulerons

2010/11/29

at 7:14 PM

Rating
3
40
37
It's a no win situation, yes snow tires brake better in the winter but the real issue overall is the motorist who doesn't adjust to the road conditions, regardless if they have the snow tires or AWD, 4x4 etc. In my years on the road, THAT is the main reason we have problems on our roadways and second to that is drivers who are not only unaware of whats happening around them and not concentrating on driving, period. You can create all the new technology you want and put laws in place to try and control what a driver is and is not doing behind the wheel. That is something you can't control, I still see people not using hands-free devices and a number of other things they shouldn't be doing. I guess until vehicles operate themselves through traffic, there is the nut behind the wheel that will always be the weak link in whatever problem you try to solve. I truly believe that I can back this statement up.

J Zulerons

2010/11/29

at 6:21 PM

Rating
1
34
33
It's a no win situation, yes snow tires brake better in the winter but the real issue overall is the motorist who doesn't adjust to the road conditions, regardless if they have the snow tires or AWD, 4x4 etc. In my years on the road, THAT is the main reason we have problems on our roadways and second to that is drivers who are not only unaware of whats happening around them and not concentrating on driving, period. You can create all the new technology you want and put laws in place to try and control what a driver is and is not doing behind the wheel. That is something you can't control, I still see people not using hands-free devices and a number of other things they shouldn't be doing. I guess until vehicles operate themselves through traffic, there is the nut behind the wheel that will always be the weak link in whatever problem you try to solve. I truly believe that I can back this statement up.

A Perret

2010/11/29

at 5:21 PM

Rating
9
42
33
"Mauro said that winter tires are cost prohibitive for many drivers..." is not necessarily a correct statement! A driver who buys a set of Winter Rubber will not need to replace the OEM tires as frequently, as the average annual driven distance will be split between the two sets of tires. Mind you, an insurance-premium subsidy would still be welcome....although that's probably akin to dreaming in kodak-colour ;-)

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