Winter tires prevent serious collisions
Government and police are reminding Islanders of the safety benefits of installing four matching winter tires.
Lack of suitable winter tires can be a factor in serious collisions because winter tires provide almost twice the traction of all-season tires on snow or ice. Visit https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/winterdriving for more information on winter tires.
“We all have a role to play in keeping Island roads safe and one easy step to protect you and your family on the road is to install winter tires in November and keep them on until April,” said RCMP S/Sgt. Kevin Baillie. “Highway Safety, RCMP, and other police agencies will be out on Island roads this week at road checks to remind Islanders of this life-saving message.”
Vehicle owners are reminded to have their tires checked for adequate tread depth to ensure they are ready to take on PEI’s winter driving conditions. Highway Safety recommends vehicles are equipped with four matching winter tires bearing the mountain/snowflake symbol.
At the check-stops, drivers will be provided with air pressure gauges and winter tire brochures, thanks to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada. Islanders can also expect to see officers checking for valid vehicle registrations, driver licenses and motor vehicle inspections stickers.
In other road safety initiatives, government also introduced two amendments to the Highway Traffic Act. The first amendment builds on previous impaired driving amendments earlier this year, and will bring PEI in line with federal Criminal Code changes related to impaired driving.
The second amendment will designate tow trucks and recovery vehicles as emergency vehicles so they fall under existing provincial ‘slow down, move over’ rules.
If Islanders see any emergency vehicles parked at the side of the road with their lights flashing - including tow trucks - they must move over a lane if safe to do, and slow down to half the speed limit. The fine for not slowing down for parked emergency vehicles is $200 - $1000, plus $75 for victims of crime surcharge and three demerit points.
“It is our collective responsibility to protect the lives of emergency responders and recovery workers who are helping our neighbours as they deal with emergency situations,” said Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Paula Biggar.
“Our Highway Traffic Act has strong rules designed to keep our roads safe, our law enforcement works diligently to enforce these rules, and Islanders need to do their part to slow down, pay attention, and drive safely.”
Media contact:
Katie MacDonald
Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy
902-314-3996
katiemacdonald@gov.pe.ca
Backgrounder:
Changes to the Criminal Code of Canada will come into effect in December 2018. The latest Highway Traffic Act amendments are housekeeping in nature to align with these changes.
Earlier this spring, substantive changes to the Highway Traffic Act related to impaired driving included:
● increasing all short term vehicle impoundments
● roadside driver license suspension related to drugs to match the existing penalties in the Highway Traffic Act for alcohol related offences
● a mandatory minimum 30 day vehicle impoundment for drivers charged with impaired driving
● a mandatory 30 day vehicle impoundment for Graduated Drivers contravening Zero Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) regulations
● vehicle impoundment for drivers receiving short term driver license suspensions for failing Standard Field Sobriety Test for drugs or providing a breath sample from .05 BAC - .08 BAC – 1st offence 3 day vehicle impoundment, 2nd offence 7 day vehicle impoundment and 3rd and subsequent offence 30 day vehicle impoundment
● increased zero tolerance BAC age from under 19 years to under 22 years old. This affects all drivers receiving their first driver license after September 16, 2017
● increased the minimum mandatory ignition interlock term for drivers convicted of a 2nd impaired driving offence from 2 years to 3 years.