Yikes: Video outlines the importance of winter tires
Digital Reporter
Monday, December 3, 2018, 4:18 PM - Think you don't need winter tires?
Think again.
In some provinces they're mandatory, but even in places where they aren't, most car and traffic experts recommend replacing all-seasons with winter tires before snow hits the ground.
"It's not just a marketing thing," writes Weather Network digital reporter Daniel Martins.
(WINTER IS HERE: How will El Niño shape Canada's upcoming winter? Find out with The Weather Network’s 2019 Winter Forecast | FORECAST & MAPS HERE)
"Tires marked with the mountain/snowflake symbol are designed to grip the road better than normal tires in temperatures of 7°C or below. They also handle icy and snowy conditions better, provided they have a tread of at least 3.5 mm."
And while winter tires won't prevent all accidents, they may help you navigate trickier situations -- provided you slow down and drive according to the conditions.
Check out the video above, filmed in Calgary, Alberta on Sunday.
A car turns a corner on a residential, snow-covered street. Once making it turn, the driver loses control of the car, which slams into a parked vehicle.
Not a great way to cap off the weekend.
WINTER IS COMING. DRIVE ACCORDINGLY
Every year, emergency responders are inundated with calls about preventable car accidents.
Winter tires are an excellent safety precaution, but only when paired with defensive driving.
"Road conditions can deteriorate rapidly. You need to plan ahead, adjust your speed and be prepared for a sudden change in traffic flows or road conditions," superintendent Gord Jones of traffic services said in a 2016 press release.
"These simple changes to your driving behaviour could prevent a tragedy from occurring and get you home safely to your family."
