THUNDER BAY – Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, introduced his Private Member’s Motion in the Ontario Legislature. The motion calls on the insurance industry to reduce insurance premiums for drivers who use winter tires.
“There’s overwhelming evidence that the use of proper winter tires reduces the likelihood of accidents and save lives. If insurance companies offer reduced premiums to driver’s who use winter tires, we’ll have safer roads and everyone will benefit. I think that’s why the motion was approved by the legislature and endorsed by important organizations that are committed to road safety, like the Ontario Safety League, the Ontario Hospital Association and the CAA. In Northern Ontario, where so many of us already use winter tires, lower insurance premiums for winter tires could also help northerners reduce the cost of winter driving,” stated Mauro.
Reducing insurance premiums for drivers who use winter tires would help consumers. Winter tires can be cost-prohibitive for many people, so a premium reduction for winter tire use would make them more affordable – making it possible for more drivers to use them. The increased use of winter tires would result in safer roads for everyone. Insurance companies would benefit as well. These companies would see their costs go down because the use of winter tires decreases the number and severity of winter road accidents.
A coalition of organizations promoting road safety, including the Ontario Safety League, the Ontario Hospital Association, the Ontario Trucking Association and the CAA (South Central Ontario), has endorsed MPP Bill Mauro’s Private Member’s Motion. The coalition wrote to the leaders of all three provincial parties and to the President and CEO of the Insurance Board of Canada, asking for their support of Mr. Mauro’s motion. The motion was passed by the legislature today.
“Winter tires are essential for driving outside the city. But congestion makes them a better choice in town, too. There is no such a thing as an all-season tire. If it’s not a winter tire, it’s not good for winter,” commened Brian Patterson, President, Ontario Safety League.
“All-season tires can turn hard and lose their elasticity when the cold hits. If motorists want the safest driving experience in winter conditions, they should have winter tires,” said Nick Parks, President and CEO, Canadian Automobile Association South Central Ontario
“The OTA applauds this initiative because it will help keep Ontario’s highways and roads free from preventable accidents this winter helping our drivers to make their scheduled arrival times,” added Dave Bradley, President, Ontario Trucking Association.
QUICK FACTS
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- The CAA and the Ontario Safety League encourage people to use winter tires during winter months.
- Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada have acknowledged that all-season tires can begin to lose their grip when the temperature drops below -10°C. In contrast, winter tires improve driving safety by providing better traction, braking and handling in winter conditions.
- Tests by Transport Canada and the Canadian Rubber Association found that all-season tires went-off the testing track at speeds of only 40 to 50 km/h, while cars with winter tires had no difficulty.
- According to Quebec’s Ministry of Transportation, proper winter tires can improve braking by 25% and improve collision avoidance by 38% when compared with all-season radials.
- A 2005 study by the Canadian Press and Leger Marketing found that only 29% of Ontario drivers use winter tires. In contrast, the Canadian average was 42% and winter tire use in Quebec was 84%.