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Snow tire requirement kicks in on Tuesday

Winter tires required for all personal vehicles driving in the Sea to Sky corridor, beginning Oct. 1
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FILE IMAGE COURTESY OF WHISTLER RCMP

Winter is coming—and so are the reminders to check your tires.

Whistler and Pemberton RCMP remind motorists that beginning next Tuesday, Oct. 1, winter tires will once again be required for all personal vehicles driving in the Sea to Sky corridor.

For winter tires to meet the legal requirement, they must have at least 3.5-millimetres of tread depth and be marked with the letters M + S, which designate mud and snow all-season tires, or display a three-peaked mountain and/or a snowflake symbol on the sidewall of the tires.

"Summer tires of any type will not be permitted and police will be checking tires on a regular basis to ensure that drivers are compliant," Whistler RCMP said in a release.

If your vehicle is found not to have the proper tires while driving between Oct. 1 of this year and April 30, 2020, you may face fines and see your vehicle towed from the roadway.

Police also warn those planning to use studded tires this season to be aware of the rules and regulations around their use: Studded tires can only be used between Oct.1 and April 30, while the studs can only protrude two millimetres from the tread or traction surface of the tire.

"If you are using studded tires on the front wheels you must use studded tires on the rear wheels as well," the release added.