Winter driving can be treacherous in Northern Ontario. Temperatures drop, snow and ice pile up, and road conditions can change quickly. Being prepared for winter weather can prevent car accidents and reduce the risk of injury. Using winter tires is one important way your can prepare your vehicle and protect yourself.
In today’s article, our Sault Ste. Marie motor vehicle accident lawyers will discuss winter tire laws and insurance claim implications of not having snow tires. If you or a loved one has been involved in a winter driving accident and suffered injuries, the team at Feifel Gualazzi can help. We welcome you to contact us today to schedule a free consultation to find out if you have a case.
How Are Winter Tires Different?
Winter tires and all-season tires are not the same. Winter tires are designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions and colder temperatures. The easiest way to know if your tires are winter tires or “snow tires” is to look for a three-peak mountain snowflake symbol marked on the tire
Are Winter Tires Mandatory In Ontario?
Winter tires are not mandatory in Ontario. While there is no Ontario law that requires drivers to install winter tires, Transport Canada recommends using winter tires on all vehicles for driving in cold, snowy, or icy conditions.
What does Ontario law say about studded tire use?
Studded tires are specially designed tires that have up to a hundred metal studs embedded into them. Tires with studs provide similar stopping distances as winter tires in most conditions and they are more effective than other tires under icy conditions, but they are less effective on bare pavement.
Use of studded tires is not legal for residents of Southern Ontario, but it is legal for residents of certain regions of Northern Ontario, including Algoma District. An exemption to the Highway Traffic Act permits Northern Ontario residents to use studded tires anywhere in Ontario between Oct. 1 and April 30. Failure to remove studded tires by April 30th carries a fine of up to $1,000.
Why bother with winter tires if they aren’t mandatory?
Ontario law doesn’t make snow tire use mandatory, but there are important reasons why they should be used in Ontario winters.
The first is increased safety. Installing winter tires on your vehicle will allow you to navigate roadways more easily than if you only have all-season tires. At temperatures below -7C, all-season tires and summer tires start to lose elasticity, leading to less traction. Your vehicle will be more prone to slipping, sliding, and you won’t be able to brake as quickly.
In comparison, winter tires are made of softer rubber than regular all-season tires, and they have a specially designed tread. Those features allow winter tires to keep their elasticity and grip at much lower temperatures, which means more control and shorter stopping distances. That can mean the difference between a narrow miss and a crash that leaves you with serious injuries.
Another good reason to install winter tires? You may save some money. Many Ontario auto insurance companies offer discounts for using winter tires. It’s worth contacting your insurance provider to check if this is an option for you.
Legal implications of not using winter tires
There is another very important reason to use snow tires in the winter: failure to install winter tires on your vehicle can lead to allegations of negligence against you. If you are hurt in a car accident in the winter and don’t have snow tires on your vehicle, the insurance company and any other driver involved in the crash will say it was negligent for you to drive without winter tires (or to drive with worn winter tires that lack tread depth, etc.).
They’ll either deny your claim outright or argue that lack of proper winter tires was a contributing factor in the accident. If you are found wholly or partially at fault for the motor vehicle accident, your claim for personal injury compensation will be negatively impacted. The damages you receive will be reduced by the degree you are found at fault. If you find yourself in that situation, it’s crucial to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to defend you against false claims of fault or contributory negligence.
Get Advice from Our Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Sault Ste. Marie
Motor vehicle accident lawyers at Feifel Gualazzi are proud to serve Northern Ontario residents. We know that the personal injury claims process can feel overwhelming. You don’t need to navigate it alone.
We very strongly recommend that you contact our Sault Ste. Marie law firm as soon as possible after a winter driving accident. There can be complex liability issues and tight limitation periods that apply in these cases. Delay can greatly jeopardize—and sometimes completely eliminate—your right to bring a claim for compensation.
Contact us immediately at our Sault Ste. Marie law firm for a free consultation to see whether you have a case and ensure deadlines are met. We provide our legal services to the entire surrounding district of Algoma including but not limited to Sault Ste. Marie, Elliot Lake, Blind River, Thessalon, Huron Shores, Wawa and all surrounding areas in Northern Ontario.