BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) is reminding drivers that from now until at least March 31, you are required to have winter tires on most BC highways. It’s also a good idea to obey the speed limit; a rule that also applies to supercars.
At 1:55 p.m. on Oct. 13, on Highway 99 in Porteau Cove, a BCHP motorcycle unit noticed a northbound Lamborghini Huaracan closing fast. The officer clocked the Lamborghini at 165 km/h in an 80 zone.
“Excessive speed is dangerous any time, but in winter conditions, roadways can get unexpectedly icy even when the air temperature is above zero,” says Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. “You are legally required to have winter tires, which have better tread and compounds that grip the road even in cold temperatures.”
The Lamborghini driver, a 34-year-old North Vancouver man, faced expensive consequences for disobeying the winter driving requirements:
Fail to obey traffic control device (requirement for winter tires on Highway 99): $121 fine;
Fail to display front licence plate: $109 fine;
Excessive speed (in excess of 60 km/h): $483 fine;
The cost of a seven-day impound and a tow truck; and
At least three years of high-risk driver premiums and escalating insurance that will bring the total costs to at least $2,500.
As conditions worsen in winter, motorists are reminded that winter tires must have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth and feature the letters “M” and “S” (mud and snow) or the three-peaked snowflake symbol. You may be turned away from a highway if your vehicle is not properly equipped.
Studded tires are permitted, but only from Oct. 1 to April 30, and the studs should not protrude more than 2 mm.