Starting Monday, drivers will be required to have winter tires on their vehicles on most B.C. highways for safe travel during winter months.

Drivers must equip their vehicles with winter tires if they plan to travel on certain B.C. highways in the North, the Interior, the South Coast such as the Sky Highway, and on Vancouver Island, such as on the Malahat and highways 4, 14, and 28.

Photo Credit: File photo

While winter tires are not mandatory province-wide, they are required on a majority of B.C. highways. Drivers without the proper winter tires in good condition driving on designated B.C. highways can receive a fine of $109.

Regulations state that an appropriate winter tire is defined as one with either the M+S or mountain/snowflake symbol and in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres.

Photo Credit: Transportation BC

Tires marked with a mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall offer the best traction on snow and ice and in cold weather. Tires marked with M+S (mud and snow) offer better traction than summer tires but are less effective than mountain/snowflake tires in severe winter conditions.

Drivers are reminded to slow down, use caution and check DriveBC.ca to plan ahead when setting out during the winter months.

Winter tire regulations end on March 31 on many highways, however, the regulations have been extended to April 30, 2019, on select mountain passes and rural highways to account for early spring snowfall.

Also starting on Monday, commercial vehicle operators must carry chains and are required to use them when a mandatory chain-up is in place.

Drive safe!