Winter tire rules in effect on Saturday

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation’s winter tire rules come into effect on Saturday – about the same time snow is expected to strike in the Pine Pass.

Between five and 10 centimetres of the white stuff is expected to descend in the area over tonight with the snowfall continuing on Saturday, according to an Environment Canada alert for the B.C. Peace as a cold front from the Yukon pushes into northern B.C.

“Rain and cold north winds will develop across the B.C. Peace in the morning and day time highs will struggle to reach four degrees (Celsius),” the agency said.

“The rain is expected to change to snow Friday night.”

As of Saturday, drivers who take to most highways outside the Lower Mainland and southeast Vancouver Island must be in vehicles equipped with tires labelled with either the mountain-snowflake symbol or the mud and snow (M+S) symbol.

They also must be in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm.

Those caught without the proper tires face a $121 fine.

Those with the proper tire but lacking the minimum tread depth face a $109 levy.

Signs will be posted to identify those highways where winter tires are required for lighter cars and trucks, and chains are required for heavy commercial trucks.

The routes are generally located approaching high mountain passes and highways which see significant winter conditions and where conditions can change from rain to snow very quickly.

“We want to be certain drivers are prepared for unpredictable and changing driving conditions,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone.