East Algoma OPP – Are you Ready for Winter? Snow Tires Yet?

The East Algoma Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists that despite the unusually warm fall weather, now is the time to prepare your vehicles for winter driving conditions, as winter tires perform best when temperatures drop below 7°C, providing improved traction, handling, and braking on cold pavement, snow, and ice before the first snowfall arrives.

Winter tires are made with a specialized rubber compound that remains flexible in freezing temperatures, helping maintain better contact with the road and improving vehicle control. They can significantly reduce stopping distances compared to all-season tires.

Motorists considering used winter tires should check for adequate tread depth, uneven wear, cracks, bulges, or other damage. Drivers should also ensure the tires are the correct size for their vehicle and display the winter tire symbol, known as the mountain snowflake.

Also to note is, that some insurance providers also offer premium discounts to drivers who install four winter tires on their vehicle.

Remember that All-Wheel-Drive and 4-Wheel-Drive systems may improve acceleration but do not improve stopping distances. Braking and cornering performance are still determined by tire traction.

The number one cause of motor vehicle collisions during snowy conditions is speed. Slow down, increase following distances, allow extra travel time, and adjust your driving according to road conditions.

Remember – ice and snow – keep it slow!

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OPP

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provide policing services throughout Ontario. Our officers are responsible for policing over one million square kilometres of land and waterways. They provide frontline policing services to more than 320 Ontario municipalities and patrol over 126,000 kilometres of provincial roadways.

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