Motorists who manage to make-do with regular tires throughout the entire year might not fully appreciate the extent to which winter tires reduce the stress of driving on snowy, slippery roads.
But drivers who have always traditionally switched out their tires as well as those who perhaps only just recently obtained their first set would undoubtedly be the first to say the investment pays itself off the moment you safely avoid a collision as opposed to ending up smack in the middle of it, or even worse, outright causing the crash.
Tests on the ice surface of an arena have shown the difference winter tires make when travelling at already reduced speeds of about 30 kilometres per hour. Whereas a vehicle with regular tires will slide significantly when the brakes are fully applied ó even at such a slow velocity ó a vehicle equipped with winter tires barely struggles to stop nearly instantly by comparison.
However, while winter tires certainly inspire confidence when driving in winter conditions, that does not mean one should continue cruising around at regular speeds expecting to be able to stop on a dime as though it were a dry, summer's day.
Think of those over-confident drivers of all-wheel drives who almost without fail are among the first to end up in the ditch for falsely assuming four-wheel drive means being able to haul along at high speeds.
Winter tires, anti-lock brake systems and four-wheel drive are merely tools that significantly help to improve a vehicle's controllability in slippery conditions. By no stretch of the imagination are they cart-blanche to drive fast or even regular speeds on slippery or snowy roads.
So even with a brand new set of winter tires, always be mindful to reduce your speed when driving in winter conditions and to leave more room than usual between you and the driver in front.
And of course once the snow melts next spring, be sure to promptly replace the winter tires or you'll end up quickly wearing them out in the warmer weather and by the following winter they will essentially be all but useless.
There is certainly an argument to be made that winter tires are not cheap nor subsidized by the government, although perhaps such a program would be worth investigating as the long-term insurance and health-care cost reduction resulting from fewer collisions would potentially be worthwhile.
But having two sets of tires essentially doubles each set's lifespan ó provided they are switched out in a timely fashion. So despite the short-term expense, there is arguably a long-term savings.
If you don't already have a trusty set of winter tires, we seriously recommend you consider visiting your preferred establishment for your vehicle's needs to review the available options.
Simon Ducatel is the Round Up's editor.
