Poll: Winter Tire Law

[PCLoadLetter]

Do you think Ontario should make winter tires mandatory? Discuss.

[SilentJay]

Absolutely. While we don't get creamed by snow like they do out East, we do still get ice and slush at the very least. The already abundant population of GTA's deficient drivers can only benefit from the added traction, and quite frankly, the mandatory extra $600-$900 in costs will price out people who operate unsafe cars because they choose not to spend money on maintainence. A government tax credit could be used to cushion the blow for families too.

[optiklenz13]

I vote no. Because wimps can just stay at home in times like these..

[hit26k]

Absolutely! If its proven to help and decrease the amount of accidents that occur during the winter months than the government should make it mandatory. Now, there are other factors such driving habits and skill that go along with this but they're tied in together.

[kittyangel]

no...because I know some people who never drive their cars during winter time. i feel it's unfair for those poor people who don't drive at their summer car at all...lol

[bman13]

Fewer accidents supposedly mean lower medical claims which means SUPPOSEDLY a ripple effect that eventually leads to lower car insurance. Obviously that's a farce but yeah the logic is there. At minimum, all insurance companies should offer lower car insurance (mine does if u have winter tires plus anti-theft) and it should be widely advertised.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

yes.

[cwp_sedan]

yes.

+1

[cereal83]

Not at all. People should be given the right to choose if they want winter tires or not. Seems like the people who want the law passed want the government to tell us exactly how to live our day to day life.

[mazdilla]

It's already law in Quebec.

... I'm undecided.

I think that it would/should depend on the vehicle. An AWD or 4WD can operate just fine on M&S tires.

(... while some drivers couldn't operate a vehicle properly no matter what they have shoed their car with.)

[Default User]

50/50 on this

YES - snow tires improves safety for EVERYONE on the road. Those who do not believe in using winter tires are losers.

NO - because once it is mandatory, the government and or Tire manufacturers and or retailers will jack the tire rates through the roof or increase labour costs or find a tax....

Either pay $60-80 twice a year to switch over tires. or purchase a winter tire/rim combo and DIY. Even then - you need a second set of TPMS ($300) to be programmed at a stealership for another $100. Ask anyone w/ TPM sensors how much fun it is (those that care care about the warning light).

PLUS - you'll always have the ******* that doesnt switch back to all-seasons come spring, and ride snows all year long. We all know how fast snow tires wear out during warmer temps, making them utterly useless come next winter. But is within the law for owning winter tires.

or doesnt realize that the compound is done after the 4 year life expectancy.

Point being - Doesn't matter if there is a law in place - there's always some loser that thinks their right and the rest of us is wrong. Look at people that refuse to use a hands free set or text while driving. 50,000 tickets handed out in the first year alone.

[mongol]

no...because I know some people who never drive their cars during winter time. i feel it's unfair for those poor people who don't drive at their summer car at all...lol

I think it would only be mandatory if you were on the road?

Anyway I agree with it.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Not at all. People should be given the right to choose if they want winter tires or not. Seems like the people who want the law passed want the government to tell us exactly how to live our day to day life.

Or I'd rather someone not drive into me?

As long as people don't hit me or anyone I care about I don't care what they drive on. I do wish insurance would give me credit for having winters.

[cereal83]

Or I'd rather someone not drive into me?

As long as people don't hit me or anyone I care about I don't care what they drive on. I do wish insurance would give me credit for having winters.

Yes because if a person has winter tires, they are magically not gonna drive into other people.

Thank god the government isn't even contemplating this law for Ontario

[ovie8]

Not at all. People should be given the right to choose if they want winter tires or not. Seems like the people who want the law passed want the government to tell us exactly how to live our day to day life.

so you should be protesting about seatbelts, speed limits etc...how dare the government require us to wear seatbelts and tell us how fast we can drive

[XTOTHEL]

I've been all all season stock tires and things have been fine. Accident or not depends on the driver. If you know it snowed a foot last night, don't drive like there's no snow on the road.

[prime]

so you should be protesting about seatbelts, speed limits etc...how dare the government require us to wear seatbelts and tell us how fast we can drive

curse those damn stop lights and who decided to put lines on the roads...

/sarcasm


Although I do agree that each person is different but it has proven to be safer to drive with winter tires under these conditions. It only takes one accident for a life to be turned upside down. I'd rather be on the safer side, not risking my life and at the same time being considerate of others'.

[Noisy Crow]

I vote no simply because I think it would end up being another law that while good in intent doesn't really address the root problem.

People will just all year 'round on winter tires and end up having lousy traction all year round as winter tires perform worse in rain than all seasons, and the excess wear will mean they won't be very good in snow either.

That said: Everyone SHOULD use winter tires in the winter.... the difference in stopping and steering is very noticable

[Default User]

Not at all. People should be given the right to choose if they want winter tires or not. Seems like the people who want the law passed want the government to tell us exactly how to live our day to day life.

so you should be protesting about seatbelts, speed limits etc...how dare the government require us to wear seatbelts and tell us how fast we can drive

I think he means more along the lines of allowing the government to dictate what we can and cannot do.

There are a lot of stupid (and outdated) laws out there that simply aren't necessary, yet are enforced as a cash grab from the public. the more government regulations enforced = the more money they can collect from ppl. And anyone will rationalize with these laws until they actually get fined.

ie. Idling law, Cell phone law, Plastic bag fees, HTA..... c'mon really?

$120 fine because I used my cell to call my boss to say I'll be coming in late because I forgot to get my Re-usable bag for when I do get groceries after work. And I'm holding up traffic because I need to come to a complete dead stop at every stop sign, but not to stop for too long as it may be considered that Im letting the car idle. There goes my whole days pay FML

/end rant

*sorry - I detes our government

[poke65]

If it became law your taxes would have to go up to pay for emergency vehicles to be equipped with winters. Also your TTC fairs would go up to equip them too. Cab fairs would raise. If you make these vehicles exempt then why make a law.

[Default User]

If it became law your taxes would have to go up to pay for emergency vehicles to be equipped with winters. Also your TTC fairs would go up to equip them too. Cab fairs would raise. If you make these vehicles exempt then why make a law.

buses are exempt from the seatbelt law. pretty sure emissions also. Emergency vehicles are exempt from the idling law

[Fuyuzora]

I am totally in favour of mandatory winter tires.

Not at all. People should be given the right to choose if they want winter tires or not. Seems like the people who want the law passed want the government to tell us exactly how to live our day to day life.

Libertarianism is only acceptable when the individual is the only one at risk. When there is a quantifiable risk of harm to others, the needs of society trump individual liberties to act like a fool.

[Cosmo77]

I say yes to snow tires and thats a big YES

I also vote for bi-seasonal safties (after the first 5 production years) for all vehicles on the road. Not just when transferring ownership.

[zzz3]

No because the amount of snow fall is not enough in toronto, not to mention that the roads get plowed and salted in a reasonably amount of time usually. However it differs in other parts of Ontario were they get much more snow and mandatory snow tires would make sense. Thats why it shouldnt be a law, rather a tax credit or some sort of incentive (government rebate). That would strike a good balance imo...

[Cosmo77]

I was un-aware that Toronto was all of Ontario? I don't think it should be a tax credit....it should be up to the owner of the car. Common sense says 50 series tires that are hard as rocks are not ment for snow or tempatures below freezing.