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Leaves aren’t the only thing that change during fall on Vancouver Island, your driving should too.
As temperatures dip and roads become slick with rain, fog, and fallen leaves, safety experts are reminding Islanders that even our mild winters can make for risky driving conditions.
Road Safety at Work has launched its annual Winter Driving Safety campaign with a message that hits close to home: when temperatures drop below 7°C, it’s time to think differently about your tires and your habits behind the wheel.
While winter tires are only legally required on select Vancouver Island routes like the Malahat and highways 4A, 14, 18, 19, and 28, the campaign recommends them for everyone.
That’s because all-season tires lose grip once the mercury drops, something that can make the difference between stopping safely or sliding through an intersection.
“There’s a misconception that winter tires aren’t needed in milder climates,” says campaign spokesperson Trace Acres. “The reality is they’re designed to maintain traction as temperatures fall, giving you better control on wet, cold, or slippery roads.”
Below, Acres — who also serves as program director for Road Safety at Work — expands on why winter tires matter for all Island drivers, breaking down the science, statistics, and safety benefits that go far beyond snow.
Written by Trace Acres, program director, Road Safety at Work
Some Vancouver Island drivers think all-season tires are “good enough” in winter because we don’t get much snow.
But is “good enough” truly good enough when it comes to protecting yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on the road?
Science, crash statistics, and driver surveys all point to one answer: No.
There’s a misconception that winter tires are only needed for snow and ice. The reality is that they’re actually designed to give us better traction in cold weather, regardless of snowfall.
Here’s the science: Once the temperature falls below about 7C, which is typical throughout winter in this region, the rubber compound in all-season tires stiffens. This reduces grip on the road, especially on wet, icy, or frosty surfaces. In addition, all-season tires have tread patterns optimized for mild conditions, not for winter hazards.
Winter tires, on the other hand, stay flexible in the cold. That helps maintain traction and shorten stopping distances. That’s an obvious safety advantage.
It’s also helpful to understand that not all winter tires are equal.
Tires with the M+S (mud and snow) symbol, for example, meet only B.C.’s minimum legal requirement for designated highways, which include the Malahat and highways 4, 14, 18, 19, and 28.
Tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol meet a higher performance standard. They’re more effective in harsh conditions. That’s why Road Safety at Work encourages drivers to use them.
Now let’s look at the statistics that strongly support the use of winter tires.
Not surprisingly, crashes increase in winter. According to ICBC statistics, December has averaged nearly 26,000 monthly crashes over the last five years. That’s about one every two minutes.
For people who drive on the job, crash-related injury claims increase by almost 20% during winter, according to WorkSafeBC statistics.
This includes everyone from full-time delivery drivers to workers who occasionally travel to see clients.
Finally, let’s listen to what drivers say about winter tires.
In a 2024 survey conducted by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, 79% of drivers in BC said winter tires have helped them avoid a hazardous situation, like losing control or being involved in a collision.
And more than one-third of all drivers surveyed by ICBC witnessed a crash resulting from winter conditions last winter, while 21% had a near miss or close call while driving.
Put simply, winter tires are a smart investment, no matter where you live.
Winter is coming. Don’t wait for snow to fall before you get the grip you need with winter tires. Encourage your family and friends to do the same, for their own safety.
