Road Safety at Work (RSW) is reminding drivers that winter tires are legally required on many Southern Interior highways through April 30, including the Coquihalla Highway and Highways 97C and 5, as well as parts of Highway 1.
“Warmer days can give drivers a false sense of security,” Trace Acres, a spokesperson for Road Safety at Work, said. “But in many parts of B.C., winter conditions can return quickly and without much warning.”
RSW said morning frost, compact snow, black ice and sudden snowfalls are still common this time of year.
Winter tires are designed to stay flexible in temperatures below 7 C, providing better traction and shorter stopping distances on cold pavement. In colder regions, overnight temperatures may remain below that threshold for several more weeks.
Road Safety at Work is a WorkSafeBC injury reduction initiative managed by the Justice Institute of British Columbia. It aims to eliminate work-related motor vehicle crashes, deaths and injuries in B.C.
“Winter tires still have an important job to do,” Acres said. “Getting to your destination safely matters more than changing your tires early.”
RSW added that for many workers, driving is the most dangerous part of their day. “Employers and workers need to stay vigilant right through the end of the season,” the statement said.
A few mild afternoons do not mean winter is over, especially in colder and higher-elevation parts of the Thompson-Okanagan, RSW said. Snow fell on the Coquihalla this week, and flurries are in the forecast this week.
