If you are going to be driving on the Sea to Sky Highway, make sure you have winter tires on.
That is the message of a traffic enforcement event held at Britannia Beach Monday morning.
Members of RCMP's BC Highway Patrol were out in force for the two-hour event.
Officers, including two BC Highway Patrol members from Squamish, checked vehicles to ensure they had four winter tires, which are required on Highway 99 through March 30.
Drivers who don't have the proper tires can face a $121 fine under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Dozens of drivers were stopped and their tires checked while The Squamish Chief was on site at about 9 a.m. this morning.
During the two-hour event, approximately 750 to 1,000 cars went through the checkpoint.
About 350 were checked, according to the RCMP.
- Five cars were turned around, not allowed to continue
- One three-day immediate roadside prohibition was given
- 24 violation tickets were given, including:
- Two for inadequate snow tires
- Two for no chains
- One for no seat belt
- One for failing to produce insurance
- One for an obscured licence plate
- One for a defective lamp
- Three Notice and Orders for dump trucks were handed out
- Three warnings were given for tires getting close to tread below 3.5 mm
Snow is expected overnight in Squamish, and the official opening for Whistler Blackcomb winter operations is on Thursday, Nov. 21, so it was a good time for the event, said Staff Sgt. Stuart Jette with the Integrated Road Safety Unit of BC Highway Patrol.
He said some of the excuses officers hear from drivers not having winter tires include not being aware they are required on the Sea to Sky Highway.
“People are just used to the weather in the Lower Mainland. Another excuse is, 'I'm a really good driver in the snow,’" Jette said, adding that it isn't just when it is snowing that a winter tire is important; there's also black ice in areas along the highway, as the temperatures drop.
"A lot of times, people just aren't prepared for what they're going to face. The weather can change so quickly, especially in [these] mountain passes."
Crashes caused by driving too fast for the conditions increase significantly during the fall and winter months, according to a news release for Road Safety at Work's annual Shift into Winter campaign.
RCMP officers check for tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or M+S (mud and snow) symbol on the sidewall.
The tires also must have at least 3.5 mm tread depth and be in good condition.
Tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol provide the best traction in cold weather.
"They're made from a special rubber compound that stays soft and maintains grip when temperatures drop below 7 C. They can significantly reduce stopping distances," reads the Road Safety at Work release.
“Four matching tires maximizes stability and reduces the likelihood of skidding. Using winter tires only on the front or rear wheels can make vehicles harder to control and increase crash risks."
Drivers should also check their tire pressure as cold temperatures can deflate tires, impacting tire performance.
Jette added that drivers should also ensure they have food, drinks, and blankets, as well as an emergency kit, in case they get stuck on the highway for a time.
Further, he said before driving, make sure all the frost and snow is brushed off the vehicle so drivers are more visible and aren't blowing snow at others, obstructing their view.
At the enforcement and education event on Monday, police were handing out Shift Into Winter cards drivers can use to check their tire tread depth and an ice and snow scraper as part of the campaign.
Other Road Safety at Work tips for the Sea to Sky Highway include:
- Know before you go and plan the safest route by checking current conditions on DriveBC.ca
- Adjust your driving to the conditions by slowing down and avoiding sudden movements such as cutting into another lane
- Leave at least four seconds of distance between yourself and the vehicle in front
- Use your lights at all times to see and be seen
- Leave your phone alone
- Be alert for roadside work zones, which can be even more hazardous at this time of year
The enforcement event was part of Road Safety at Work’s Shift into Winter awareness campaign, which is supported by the Winter Driving Safety Alliance.
For more information, go to ShiftIntoWinter.ca.
*Please note that this story was updated after it was first posted to include data from the event, provided by the RCMP.
