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Reminder: Winter tires still required on northern B.C. highways until end of April

Heads up, if you absolutely need to travel!
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All season tires are not winter tires. Check the sidewall of your tires for this symbol to be sure you have winter tires installed on your vehicle. | Glacier Media

Don't be so quick to change the tires on your vehicle if you have to travel across northern B.C. or further south this month.

The B.C. government is reminding residents that winter tires are still needed for the region's highways until April 30, 2021, as part of yearly provincial regulations.

Highways 97 and 16 are included in the requirements, and each tire must be in 'good condition' with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm.

"For rural highways and mountain passes, tires with the mountain/snowflake symbol provide the best traction and handling," explains B.C.'s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

"Two years ago, regulations were extended to April 30 from March 31 on select highways, most of which are in the Interior and northern parts of the province. Road conditions can change quickly, and snowfall is still possible in these regions."

Regulations were lifted on March 31, however, for Highway 16 west of Terrace to Prince Rupert, Highway 37 south to Kitimat and Highway 113 to the coast.

As of this publication (April 8), there is no snow in Prince George's immediate forecast, but Environment Canada is predicting increasingly cloudy skies that could bring periods of rainfall, which may turn freezing at higher elevations.

If you're driving a vehicle that's more than 11,794 kg in weight, you must also carry chains for your tires.

B.C. is also reminding residents to follow public health guidelines and avoid non-essential travel during COVID-19.

For road updates and information, you're encouraged to visit DriveBC's website.

Winter tire map - northern BCA map of winter tires regulations in northern B.C. By B.C. government