I moved from a province where snow tires are mandatory, and was amazed at the number of accidents - hundreds a day, - that happened during the heavy snowfall periods, and even more so that the critics of mandatory snow tires could not (or would not) accept the fact that the lack of snow tires on vehicles could be a contributory factor to this ridiculous situation. Of course snow tires are expensive, but the cost is spread over years. Isn't their safety and the safety of other drivers worth the initial cost? Seat belts and children's car seats are mandated by law, but vehicles sliding around on snow and ice-covered roads are acceptable??? Snow tires do not guarantee that accidents won't happen in bad weather, but surely anything that can minimize the danger.
Phil Brown - 10 years ago
In a perfect world snow tires would be great on every vehicle. However, the reality is that snow tires and wheels are expensive. Not everyone can shell out $800-$1500 to get new tires, and new rims in alot of cases. Not everyone can change their own tires, I doubt the city has enough tire shops to cope with the influx in October and March to change out. I faced the personal dilemma and decided that the cost of snow tires outweighed the potential for accident and injury to my family and those sharing the road with me. The roads still need to be cleared, snow tires help, but making them mandatory may inflict financial hardship on a lot of familys facing tight budgets leading into the Christmas season. Bottom line the roads still need cleared. My math may be wrong but clearing the streets must still be more cost effective than changing the wheels on every vehicle on the road THEN policing and enforcing?
Irene G - 10 years ago
My snow tires were no help to me last week when I got hung up on the deep iced ruts while backing out of the garage. The snow tires barely got me out of the back lane, which was axle deep in chinook-softened snow. Thank goodness the city had at least just cleared the street in front so I could at least park somewhere close to home in this nearly impassible snow-bound city.
Chinooks make the conditions worse, not better, on our snow clogged streets, especially in years when there is a lot of snow! I never have to worry about getting stuck on Edmonton's streets because they actually clear them more than once a year.
Gayelene Bonenfant - 10 years ago
I love the idea that everyone should get snow tires, however, I will qualify this by saying this neither solves the issue of the cities obligation to clear the streets, nor will snow tires be of use in deep snow banks.
I moved from a province where snow tires are mandatory, and was amazed at the number of accidents - hundreds a day, - that happened during the heavy snowfall periods, and even more so that the critics of mandatory snow tires could not (or would not) accept the fact that the lack of snow tires on vehicles could be a contributory factor to this ridiculous situation. Of course snow tires are expensive, but the cost is spread over years. Isn't their safety and the safety of other drivers worth the initial cost? Seat belts and children's car seats are mandated by law, but vehicles sliding around on snow and ice-covered roads are acceptable??? Snow tires do not guarantee that accidents won't happen in bad weather, but surely anything that can minimize the danger.
In a perfect world snow tires would be great on every vehicle. However, the reality is that snow tires and wheels are expensive. Not everyone can shell out $800-$1500 to get new tires, and new rims in alot of cases. Not everyone can change their own tires, I doubt the city has enough tire shops to cope with the influx in October and March to change out. I faced the personal dilemma and decided that the cost of snow tires outweighed the potential for accident and injury to my family and those sharing the road with me. The roads still need to be cleared, snow tires help, but making them mandatory may inflict financial hardship on a lot of familys facing tight budgets leading into the Christmas season. Bottom line the roads still need cleared. My math may be wrong but clearing the streets must still be more cost effective than changing the wheels on every vehicle on the road THEN policing and enforcing?
My snow tires were no help to me last week when I got hung up on the deep iced ruts while backing out of the garage. The snow tires barely got me out of the back lane, which was axle deep in chinook-softened snow. Thank goodness the city had at least just cleared the street in front so I could at least park somewhere close to home in this nearly impassible snow-bound city.
Chinooks make the conditions worse, not better, on our snow clogged streets, especially in years when there is a lot of snow! I never have to worry about getting stuck on Edmonton's streets because they actually clear them more than once a year.
I love the idea that everyone should get snow tires, however, I will qualify this by saying this neither solves the issue of the cities obligation to clear the streets, nor will snow tires be of use in deep snow banks.